Archive · 19 Sep 2026
South Korea justice nominee withdraws amid Lee’s cabinet setback
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s choice for justice minister has withdrawn from consideration.
The nominee, Kim Seung-won, said he did not meet the public’s expectations.
He also said he did not want to create more problems for Lee’s administration.
A conservative lawmaker had accused Kim of trying to influence regulators over a drug trial and of financial wrongdoing.
Kim denied those accusations.
Another nominee, Yong Hye-in, also withdrew as a ministerial candidate earlier this month.
A poll found that only 37% of people approved of Lee’s performance.
Lee said his administration needed to improve how it checks nominees.
Kim Seung-won withdrew as South Korea’s justice minister nominee on Saturday.
Kim said he failed to meet public expectations and did not want to burden President Lee Jae Myung’s administration.
Kim denied allegations of lobbying regulators over a drug trial and financial irregularities.
The withdrawal follows Yong Hye-in’s exit as gender-equality minister nominee earlier this month.
A Gallup Korea poll put Lee’s approval rating at 37%, its lowest since he took office in June 2025.
- Who
- Kim Seung-won, President Lee Jae Myung, Yong Hye-in and South Korean government officials.
- What
- Kim Seung-won withdrew as nominee for justice minister, becoming the second Lee cabinet nominee to step aside this month.
- When
- Saturday, Sept. 19, according to the report; Yong Hye-in withdrew earlier this month.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- Kim cited failing to meet public expectations and not wanting to burden Lee’s administration; the withdrawal came amid allegations against him and criticism of the administration’s nominee screening.
Nominee and administration
Critics and allegations
Allegations against Kim
Nominee and administration
Kim denied accusations that he lobbied regulators over a drug trial or committed financial irregularities.
Critics and allegations
A conservative lawmaker made the allegations against Kim.
Cabinet screening
Nominee and administration
Lee acknowledged shortcomings in the administration’s screening of nominees and said the personnel system was being reexamined.
Critics and allegations
Criticism of Lee’s personnel appointments was cited as one factor linked to his declining approval rating.
- Justice nominee
- Kim Seung-won withdrew from consideration.
- President
- Lee Jae Myung
- Approval rating
- 37% in a Gallup Korea poll released Friday.
- Previous nominee withdrawal
- Yong Hye-in withdrew as gender-equality minister nominee earlier this month.
- Allegations against Kim
- A conservative lawmaker accused him of lobbying regulators over a drug trial and of financial irregularities.
- Kim’s response
- He denied the allegations and said he had not met public expectations.
- Administrative response
- Lee acknowledged shortcomings in nominee screening and said the personnel system was being reexamined.