The Democratic Party of Korea stated today (September 19) regarding the resignation of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won that it "respects the decision."

At the same time, the party urged independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who has intensively raised allegations that Kim solicited approval for clinical trials of a new drug, to disclose the full truth behind allegations of leaked investigation records.

In a written briefing that day, Senior Spokesperson Park Sung-joon said, "It is a decision made so as not to add any further burden to the administration of state affairs," adding, "We respect this agonizing decision."

He added, "The Democratic Party will listen with an even lower and humbler attitude and do its utmost for the success of a government of popular sovereignty."

Lawmaker Seo Young-kyo, chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated, "It is regrettable, but I respect the decision," while Kang Deuk-gu, head of the Institute for Democracy, wrote on social media that it was "an attitude befitting a public official who placed the nation and the people first, looking beyond personal political interests."

Taking Kim's withdrawal as an occasion, the Democratic Party directly targeted allegations that Han leaked investigation records and demanded that the truth be uncovered.

Supreme Council Member Jeon Yong-gi pointed out, "The nominee's resignation does not justify the entire process of raising allegations," adding, "Now it is Lawmaker Han's turn to answer."

He emphasized, "It must be thoroughly uncovered where the documents that appear to be investigation-related materials, such as the 'indictment plan report' disclosed by Lawmaker Han, originated and through what route they fell into his hands," adding, "If undisclosed investigation materials were improperly leaked and used politically, both the person who handed over the materials and the person who used them must be held strictly accountable under the law."

(Photo: Yonhap News)