Full Breakdown
Justice Minister Nominee Withdraws as Lee Jae Myung’s Cabinet Faces Growing Setbacks
By Drooid · · How we work
Nomination Collapse on September 19
On September 19, Kim Seung-won, President Lee Jae Myung’s pick for justice minister, announced his withdrawal from the nomination process. He cited a desire not to add further burden to the administration after a conservative lawmaker accused him of lobbying regulators over a Covid-19 drug trial and of financial irregularities—allegations Kim has denied.
Context of Lee’s Cabinet Reshuffle
Lee, who assumed the presidency in June 2025, has seen a series of high-profile nominee exits. The most recent before Kim’s departure was Yong Hye-in, who stepped down as gender-equality minister nominee. Including earlier withdrawals of education minister Lee Jin-sook, gender-equality minister Kang Sun-woo, and planning and budget minister Lee Hye-hoon, the tally reaches five failed nominations since Lee took office, a rate critics say exceeds that of prior administrations.
Allegations and Political Background
Kim Seung-won is a two-term lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), former judge at Jeonju and Suwon district courts, and former chief of the DPK’s legal affairs committee. The controversy centers on claims that he intervened in the approval of a Covid-19 treatment trial, prompting accusations of improper lobbying and financial misconduct. Kim has refuted the charges and expressed regret for not meeting public expectations.
Official Statements and Administration Response
President Lee acknowledged shortcomings in the vetting of cabinet candidates, stating that the administration had failed to anticipate emerging issues and was working to re-examine its personnel system.
Impact on Approval and Comparative Attrition
A Gallup Korea poll released the same week placed Lee’s public approval at 37 percent, the lowest level since his inauguration. Pollsters have linked the decline partly to criticism over the handling of cabinet appointments. Compared with former presidents—Moon Jae-in, Yoon Suk-yeol, Park Geun-hye, and Lee Myung-bak—who each experienced two to three failed nominations over similar periods, Lee’s administration shows a markedly higher attrition rate, which opponents attribute to a limited talent pool within the ruling camp.