Kim Seung-won Deflects Question on Dropping Indictments, Pledges "Thorough Oversight"; Opposition Slams Him as "Hitman"

[Anchor]

"I will direct prosecutors to carry out their duties while maintaining neutrality." This was the response from Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won when asked whether he would order a review into dropping the indictments related to President Lee Jae-myung. The conservative opposition is pushing back against this evasive answer, arguing it signals an intent to eventually order the withdrawal of the indictments.

Here is a report from reporter Park Chan-beom.

[Reporter]

This is the written response submitted by Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won to the National Assembly today (September 12).

In response to the inquiry asking whether he intends to instruct the Ministry of Justice, the prosecution, or the prosecution service to review whether to drop the criminal cases related to President Lee Jae-myung, he answered, "I will thoroughly direct and supervise the prosecution so that they can perform their duties fairly while maintaining political neutrality."

The nuance shifted from remarks Kim made on his first day going to work on the 3rd following his nomination as minister.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee (Sept. 3): "As for directing (the withdrawal of indictments) through the Prosecutor General, I currently have no such intention."]

To the question of whether he intends to recuse himself from duties related to President Lee's criminal cases, Kim also replied, "I will make a judgment in accordance with laws and regulations."

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon criticized him, pointing out, "He didn't say no to the question about dropping the indictments and gave an irrelevant answer." The People Power Party also criticized that the presidential office's move to push forward with Kim's appointment is linked to the withdrawal of the indictments.

[Park Sung-hoon / Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party: "Ultimately, I think they needed a hitman, a justice minister who would take the lead in resolving his own indictments."]

The Democratic Party is shielding nominee Kim and aiming to turn the tables.

They went on the offensive, demanding an investigation into how lawmaker Han Dong-hoon obtained internal prosecution documents, such as an indictment plan related to the "Ministry of Food and Drug Safety solicitation suspicion" case.

[Cho Kye-won / Spokesperson for the Democratic Party: "The place that perfectly fits lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is a police interrogation room. Reveal who you received the materials from."]

The police plan to question Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Dong-ah tomorrow, who filed a complaint against lawmaker Han on charges including leakage of official secrets.

(Video by: Kim Yong-woo | Video editing by: Won Hyung-hee | Graphics by: Bang Min-ju)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.