[Anchor]

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

Reporter Son Hyeong-an reports.

[Reporter]

Kim Seung-won, the Justice Minister nominee, held an unscheduled press conference at the National Assembly at 11 a.m. today and announced that he is stepping down from his nomination as Minister of Justice.

This comes 20 days after his nomination on August 30.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: I gravely accept that I have fallen short of the public's expectations, and I will deeply reflect on my shortcomings.]

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

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: Watching the President's press conference yesterday, I made up my mind. I believed that I should not add even the slightest burden to the administration, which must look after people's livelihoods and accomplish reforms.]

Yesterday, regarding Kim's appointment, President Lee stated that he had "not yet reached a conclusion and would make a careful decision in consideration of public expectations."

However, regarding allegations that emerged during the confirmation hearing process—including allegations of soliciting approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial—Kim made his stance clear that he "will not give up on the truth," characterizing the situation as a targeted investigation by the prosecution and a case demonstrating the necessity of prosecution reform.

[Kim Seung-won / Justice Minister Nominee: I believe this very matter is a case that has proven to the public the necessity of prosecution reform. I will uncover the full truth behind the targeted investigation by the political prosecution, Han Dong-hoon's illegal leak of confidential investigation details, and the fabrication of facts to the very end.]

The presidential office issued an official statement saying, "We respect nominee Kim Seung-won's decision, and we understand that he made this decision to reduce burdens 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, "Although the Democratic Party defended it to the death with all their might claiming it was a good appointment, in the end, the people won."

Camera by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo