Kim Seung-won's Appointment "Pauses"…Speculation Over Non-appointment and Resignation Grows

Even after the confirmation hearing report for Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, was adopted, the appointment decision has not been made, with political circles now discussing the possibility of non-appointment or voluntary resignation.

According to political circles on the 19th, President Lee Jae-myung said at a press conference the previous day regarding whether to appoint nominee Kim that "I have not yet reached a final conclusion" and "I am seeing various controversies arise during the process of public verification."

He continued, "Considering the many matters and points raised in that process, as well as capabilities and the public's expectations, I will make a decision carefully."

After the National Assembly's Law and Judiciary Committee adopted Kim's confirmation hearing report on the 17th under the leadership of the Democratic Party, expectations emerged that the appointment procedure would follow immediately. However, President Lee suspended the decision just one day later, changing the atmosphere.

Former Democratic Party supreme council member Lee Dong-hak also interpreted President Lee's remarks that day on CBS Radio as leaving room for the possibility of "not appointing" nominee Kim. The opposition is calling for the appointment to be withdrawn.

The burdens surrounding nominee Kim compound individual and family allegations with political controversy.

Nominee Kim has been under suspicion of conveying complaints to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety during the approval process for Genencell's COVID-19 treatment clinical trials. Suspicions of preferential treatment were also raised in the process of selecting a developmental disabilities service provider in Suwon for a social cooperative operated by his spouse. Nominee Kim's side denies all related allegations.

Additionally, the issue of "withdrawal of prosecution" tied to President Lee's criminal trial is also cited as a burden.

Nominee Kim has been active in a group of lawmakers that has advocated for withdrawal of prosecution in President Lee's case, and political neutrality concerns have continued since his nomination as Minister of Justice.

President Lee asked the previous day for deletion of clauses on transfer and disposition of existing prosecutions included in the prosecution fabrication special investigation bill—the so-called withdrawal of prosecution clause. However, he did not take a specific position on the future handling direction of existing trials.

Accordingly, there are interpretations that appointing nominee Kim, who has led discussions on withdrawal of prosecution, could perpetuate related controversy, which could also serve as a political burden.

The prolongation of verification is also a variable. Some in political circles observe that as the appointment decision is delayed, the possibility of new facts or additional allegations not confirmed during the hearing process being raised could also become a burden.

Given that President Lee directly referred to the "public's expectations" in postponing the decision even after adoption of the confirmation report, whether nominee Kim will await appointment or settle his own course has also emerged as a variable in the personnel situation.