"Vanguard for Dropping Prosecution" vs. "Political Offensive"... Clash Intensifies

[Anchor]

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won, who has been nominated as the Minister of Justice, is a second-term lawmaker belonging to the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction and has actively pushed for a special counsel probe into allegations of fabricated indictments. The opposition party criticized him as a "vanguard for dropping prosecution," while the ruling party hit back, calling it a political offensive.

Reporter Kim Kwan-jin has the details.

[Reporter]

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won was chosen as the nominee for Minister of Justice six days after former Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation was accepted.

Born in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and a former judge, nominee Kim Seung-won joined the defense team for a key figure in the Daejang-dong case in 2015 and currently serves as the secretary for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly.

[Kim Seung-won/Nominee for Minister of Justice: There will be changes to the criminal justice system for the first time in 70 years, among other tasks, and (I will work) to ensure they are carried out smoothly.]

The presidential office explained that the background for the personnel selection is the "stable establishment of a new criminal justice system," including the launch of the Prosecution Service in October.

Nominee Kim is the designer of the "revised Criminal Procedure Act," which completely abolishes the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, and is considered a leading hardliner for judicial reform.

He also co-led the "Group of Lawmakers Promoting the Withdrawal of Prosecution and Parliamentary Investigation into President Lee Jae-myung's Case," and has been active in pushing for a related special counsel investigation.

The People Power Party strongly protested, claiming that this personnel appointment is effectively intended to drop the prosecution of President Lee's case.

[Jang Dong-hyuk/Leader of the People Power Party: Isn't it obvious what he will do in the future? In the end, no matter how much the public opposes it, it means he is going all-in on canceling the trial.]

The Democratic Party countered that the appointment reflects well-rounded policy competence and driving force, criticizing the opposition party for launching a political offensive even before the confirmation hearing begins.

[Han Byung-do/Floor Leader of the Democratic Party: We will thoroughly verify the nominee's capabilities and qualifications from the public's perspective, but we will respond firmly to the opposition party's personal smear campaigns and malicious political maneuvering.]

With the Democratic Party stating its intent to complete the confirmation process before the Chuseok holiday, the clash between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to intensify further ahead of the confirmation hearing.

(Video Editing: Jang Hyun-ki)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.