Lee stresses 'eye level of the people'... Decision on Kim Seung-won expected before Chuseok

President Lee Jae-myung has yet to decide whether to appoint Kim Seung-won as justice minister. At a press conference held at the Yeongbin Hall of the presidential office on the 18th, Lee said he had "not yet reached a final conclusion" and that he would "decide carefully, taking into account the eye level of the people, among other factors." The remarks came a day after the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by the Democratic Party, adopted a confirmation hearing results report on Kim.

Kim, the justice minister nominee, has faced questions over his suitability for the post because he served as co-head of a group that sought to cancel criminal charges against President Lee, and he has also been suspected of soliciting approval for clinical trials of a COVID-19 drug. Opposition parties and civic groups such as the Participatory Solidarity have also deemed him unqualified. If Kim is not appointed, the administration will face the burden of finding a new nominee and holding another confirmation hearing.

Yong Hye-in, the nominee for gender equality and family minister, withdrew her candidacy, making her the fourth ministerial nominee to fall through since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office. The president said it was "too much to expect all nominees to receive only praise without any criticism," acknowledging that they were insufficiently prepared for vetting controversies. He also said the personnel system would be reviewed now.