[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung has stated that he has not yet reached a conclusion regarding the appointment of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won. Attributing the recent decline in his approval ratings to his own shortcomings, he emphasized to supporters facing conflict and division that they are all pro-Moon, pro-Roh, and comrades.

Reporter Kang Min-u has the story.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung has yet to formally approve the appointment of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won.

When asked whether he would make the appointment, he prefaced his answer by saying that personnel appointments become increasingly difficult the more one does them, and answered that he has not yet reached a conclusion, adding that he will decide prudently while taking public sentiment into account.

[President Lee Jae-myung: "I see that various controversies are arising during the public vetting process [1.1.2]. I have not yet reached a final conclusion, and..."]

When questioned about controversies surrounding the recent cabinet reshuffle—including Nominee Kim and former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in, who withdrew from nomination—he refrained from making direct comments, saying only that he intends to re-examine the personnel appointment system.

Regarding the drop in approval ratings for state governance, he humbled himself, saying that he lacked consideration, attentiveness, and communication.

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

He also devoted considerable time to addressing the division within the ruling camp triggered by issues such as prosecution reform and the drop in approval ratings among traditional supporters.

He asked people looking in the same direction not to doubt each other's sincerity just because their paths and methods differ, and added that it is regrettable to see people exchanging words of hatred.

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

Stating that prosecution reform has reached its final destination, he also made this request to his supporters:

[President Lee Jae-myung: "I ask you once again to lay down suspicions such as 'he is trying to do something by taking the prosecution's side' or 'he is retreating on reform.'"]

This is interpreted as being mindful of the backlash from some hardliners within the broader ruling camp over the nomination of Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor, to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Lee Seung-hee)