Withdrawal comes one day after President Lee said he would 'carefully consider' nomination

Kim vows to expose what he calls targeted prosecution by Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon

Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won takes an oath at his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Kim announced Saturday that he had decided to withdraw his nomination "after deep deliberation." [Yonhap]
Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won takes an oath at his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Kim announced Saturday that he had decided to withdraw his nomination "after deep deliberation." [Yonhap]

Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won said Saturday that he had decided to step down from his nomination "after deep deliberation."

Kim made the announcement at an unscheduled press conference at the National Assembly's communication center, saying he had made up his mind after watching President Lee Jae Myung's press conference on Friday.

At that press conference on Friday, Lee said he believed he had made "the best possible personnel choice," but acknowledged that "various controversies have arisen during the public vetting process" and said he would "carefully make a decision taking into account the public's expectations."

Lee also said, without naming Kim specifically, that he intended to "re-examine the personnel appointment system" and that while he could not "guarantee that no problems will arise in the future," he would do his best.

Kim's withdrawal came just one day after Lee's remarks, in the form of a voluntary resignation.

At Saturday's press conference, Kim said he had "led the way for the birth of a government of popular sovereignty and ran tirelessly for its success," bowing his head to express regret. "I am grateful to the president for nominating me, and I am truly sorry for failing to meet expectations," he said.

He added, however, that he would "not give up the truth even if I lay down this post" and vowed to "complete the unfinished reform of the prosecution."

Kim said he would "expose the full picture of the targeted investigation by the political prosecution under Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon, and the illegal leak and fabrication of investigative secrets by Han Dong-hoon," calling the episode "a case that proves to the public the necessity of prosecution reform."

While stepping away from the justice minister post, Kim made clear he intends to continue pushing for prosecution reform and to pursue independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who led the charge against Kim during the confirmation process by framing allegations over a request to approve a COVID-19 new drug clinical trial as the "oppa poison lobby."

Kim closed by saying he would "work for the people with a better and more humble attitude" and do his utmost as a member of the Lee Jae Myung government.


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