Following the voluntary withdrawal of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, the Democratic Party of Korea stated that it "respects this anguished decision."
Park Sung-joon, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said, "It was the nominee's decision that he should not impose any further burden on state affairs," adding, "The Democratic Party will listen with an even lower and more humble posture and do our best for the success of the government of popular sovereignty."
Social media messages from Democratic Party lawmakers respecting his decision to step down also followed in succession.
Representative Seo Young-kyo, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, wrote, "It is regrettable, but I respect his decision."
She went on to describe the investigation surrounding nominee Kim as a "fabricated and targeted investigation," adding, "The truth will be revealed."
Representative Park Jie-won, a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, called Kim's resignation "an example of self-sacrifice" while targeting independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who has focused on raising allegations that Kim solicited approval for clinical trials of a new drug.
Representative Park suggested to Kim, "Return to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and let us expose lawmaker Han's crimes before the public together."
Representative Song Young-gil also sharpened his criticism toward lawmaker Han Dong-hoon.
Song wrote on his social media, "Witnessing this decision to accept public sentiment strengthens my determination that we must investigate and root out the criminal acts of lawmaker Han, who has deceived the public with revelations on the level of a yellow journalism editor-in-chief and the Garo Sero Research Institute."
Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who became the target of concentrated attacks by the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly this afternoon.
Calling nominee Kim Seung-won's voluntary resignation a victory for the people, he fired directly at the Democratic Party:
[Han Dong-hoon / Independent Lawmaker: "Is the Democratic Party an organized crime syndicate that seeks revenge whenever one of its members is touched? I am not afraid of them mimicking gangsters and coming at me in swarms. If you want revenge, go ahead as much as you like."]
Even after nominee Kim has stepped down, the battle between the Democratic Party and lawmaker Han Dong-hoon over the allegations is expected to continue.
(Written by An Hyemin | Video Editing by Na Hong-hee | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News)
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