Abrupt Resignation Just a Day After President's Press Conference: "Fell Short of Public Expectations"

[Anchor]

Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, voluntarily stepped down today (September 19), 20 days after his nomination. Coming just one day after President Lee Jae-myung's press conference yesterday, Kim said he "deeply accepts that I have fallen short of the public's expectations."

Reporter Son Hyeong-an reports.

[Reporter]

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won held an unscheduled press conference at the National Assembly at 11:00 a.m. today and announced that he was stepping down from his candidacy.

This comes 20 days after his nomination on August 30.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: "I take it heavily that I fell short of the public's expectations, and I will deeply reflect on my shortcomings."]

Explaining the background of his resignation, Kim stated that he made up his mind after watching President Lee Jae-myung's press conference yesterday.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: "I made up my mind yesterday after watching the president's press conference. I believed that even a small burden should not be added to the administration, which must take care of people's livelihoods and complete reforms."]

Yesterday, regarding Kim's appointment, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "I have not yet reached a conclusion, and I will make a careful decision taking into account public expectations."

Kim, however, made clear his stance that "I will not give up on the truth" regarding allegations that arose during the confirmation hearing process—such as soliciting the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's approval for clinical trials of a COVID-19 treatment—characterizing them as a targeted investigation by the prosecution and a case that demonstrates the necessity of prosecutorial reform.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: "I believe this incident is precisely a case that has demonstrated to the public the necessity of prosecutorial reform. I will uncover the full truth behind the targeted investigation by politicized prosecutors, Han Dong-hoon's illegal leakage of investigative secrets, and the piecing together of evidence until the very end."]

Cheong Wa Dae issued an official position stating, "We respect nominee Kim Seung-won's decision, and we understand that he made this decision to ease the burden on state affairs."

The People Power Party commented that Kim's resignation was "long overdue," while independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon also stated on social media, "The Democratic Party went all out to defend this as a good appointment, but in the end, the people won."

Video by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.