[BREAKING] Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdraws candidacy

Published Sep 19, 2026 11:23 am KST

Updated Sep 19, 2026 11:30 am KST

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won closes his eyes during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew his nomination on Saturday following allegations concerning his involvement in a COVID-19 treatment and approval of its clinical trials.

“After much deliberation, I decided to step down as the nominee for minister of justice ministry. I apologize for failing to live up to your expectations,” Kim said during a press conference at the National Assembly.

Kim, a two-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), served as a judge at the Jeonju District Court and the Suwon District Court before joining the presidential office under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration, where he worked in the office of political affairs.

He was elected to the 21st National Assembly in 2020 and later served as DPK's legal affairs committee chief.

发布于2026年9月19日上午11:23（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月19日上午11:30（韩国标准时间）

周二，在首尔国会举行的司法部长官提名听证会上，金承元闭上了眼睛。（韩联社）

法务部长官提名人金承元周六撤回了提名，此前有指控称他参与了新冠肺炎治疗并批准了该治疗的临床试验。

“经过深思熟虑，我决定辞去法务部长官的提名。对于未能达到各位的期望，我深表歉意。”金在国会举行的新闻发布会上说道。

金某曾是执政党共同民主党（DPK）的两届国会议员，在加入文在寅总统府担任政治事务办公室主任之前，他曾担任全州地方法院和水原地方法院的法官。

他于2020年当选为第21届国民议会议员，后来担任民主党法律事务委员会主任。