Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Lee weighs two lawmakers for South Korea justice minister
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is considering two lawmakers for justice minister: Park Kyoon-taek and Yang Bu-nam.
Both are first-term lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party and previously worked as prosecutors.
The post has been vacant for about two months after Lee's earlier nominee, Kim Seung-won, withdrew amid lobbying allegations last month.
Kim's confirmation hearing had taken place in parliament before he withdrew.
Park and Yang both had roles connected to Lee's legal affairs when he led the party, and Park has called for dropping Lee's criminal indictments.
The choice matters because the justice minister post remains unfilled while Lee weighs public sentiment.
An official nomination is expected soon, but no choice has been announced.
Park Gyun-taek and Yang Bu-nam, both former senior prosecutors and ruling Democratic Party lawmakers, have emerged as the final candidates for justice minister.
President Lee Jae Myung is weighing the choice, and an appointment is expected soon, according to a presidential office source cited by Yonhap.
The post has been vacant since former minister Jeong Seong-ho left office on August 26.
The previous nominee, Kim Seung-won, resigned last month amid allegations that he sought favors for approval of a new drug’s clinical trial.
Both candidates previously provided legal support during Lee’s party leadership, including in cases tied to his legal risks.
- Who
- Park Gyun-taek and Yang Bu-nam, Democratic Party lawmakers and former senior prosecutors.
- What
- They have emerged as the final candidates for justice minister; President Lee is still considering the choice.
- When
- The reports were published on October 25, 2026; an appointment is expected soon.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The sources say the candidates are being considered amid the need to fill the vacant post and establish the new criminal justice system.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho left office, and the post became vacant.
Nominee Kim Seung-won resigned amid allegations related to a request for favorable treatment for approval of a new drug’s clinical trial.
The Public Prosecution Office launched, according to Yonhap.
Reports said Park Gyun-taek and Yang Bu-nam had emerged as the final candidates, with President Lee still considering his choice.
- Candidates
- Park Gyun-taek and Yang Bu-nam
- Current roles
- Democratic Party lawmakers
- Previous careers
- Both served as senior prosecutors, including as high prosecutors’ office chiefs
- Vacancy began
- August 26, 2026
- Previous nominee
- Kim Seung-won, who resigned on September 19
- Candidate locations
- Park represents Gwangju Gwangsan A; Yang represents Gwangju Seo-gu B
4 sources
What people are saying
President Lee, after a long deliberation, is making a final decision between Rep. Park and Rep. Yang
We will decide who is the right person, focusing on the early establishment of the new criminal justice system and organizational stability during the transition