[Anchor]

Led by the ruling party, the confirmation hearing report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won has been sent to the presidential office, leaving only the president's decision. President Lee Jae-myung stated that he has not yet reached a conclusion. In addition, President Lee attributed the recent decline in approval ratings and division within the ruling camp to himself, emphasizing to his traditional base that they are all pro-Moon, pro-Roh, and comrades.

Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung received the confirmation hearing report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, which the Democratic Party passed unilaterally in the National Assembly yesterday (September 17), but has not yet approved Kim's appointment.

Asked whether he would appoint him, Lee prefaced by saying that personnel appointments only become harder the more one does them, and answered that he has not yet reached a conclusion, saying he will decide prudently in consideration of public standards.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "I see that various controversies are arising during the public vetting process. I have not reached a final conclusion yet, and..."]

When asked about controversies surrounding the recent cabinet reshuffle, including nominee Kim and former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in who withdrew from consideration, Lee refrained from commenting directly, stating only that he "intends to re-examine the personnel appointment system."

Regarding the drop in his approval ratings, the president humbled himself, admitting that he had lacked consideration, attentiveness, and communication.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "I came to think, 'It was because of my shortcomings.' In the end, perhaps there was a lack of respect for the public."]

In particular, he devoted a significant amount of time to answering questions about the decline in support from his traditional base and the factional rift between hardliners and moderates within the ruling camp, which was sparked by issues such as prosecution reform.

He asked people looking toward the same goal not to doubt each other's sincerity just because their paths and methods differ, adding that it is regrettable that words of hatred are being exchanged.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "We are all pro-Moon, pro-Roh, pro-Kim Dae-jung, and comrades of Lee Jae-myung."]

Noting that prosecution reform is nearing its final destination, he also made this plea to his supporters:

[President Lee Jae-myung: "I ask you once again to please dispel suspicions that 'we are trying to accomplish something by siding with the prosecution' or that 'we are backtracking on reform.'"]

This remark is interpreted as being mindful of the pushback from some hardliners within the broader ruling bloc against the nomination of Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor, as head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, effectively reaffirming that his commitment to prosecution reform remains unchanged.

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryoong | Video Editing by Lee Seunghee)