Why is Kim Seung-won facing criticism from the People Power Party?

The opposition criticized him over his participation in a group of Democratic Party lawmakers that called for Lee’s criminal indictments to be dropped. Kim said the group was meant to convey the public’s stance against what he described as wrongs tied to illegal investigations.

What allegations has Kim Seung-won faced over a COVID-19 medication?

Prosecutors had earlier deferred indicting Kim over allegations that he asked the then food and drug safety minister to speed up approval proceedings for the medication. His confirmation hearing team said the request was made during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid unfair delays for a small domestic company’s clinical trial process.

Justice minister nominee denies intention to cancel indictments against Lee once in office

Q: What did Kim Seung-won say about canceling President Lee Jae Myung’s indictments if he becomes justice minister?

Kim denied any intention to order the withdrawal of Lee’s indictments. He said the justice minister has no direct authority over such matters and would not issue orders through the prosecutor general.

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Summary

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won denied any intention to order the withdrawal of indictments against President Lee Jae Myung if he takes office in Seoul on Thursday. He said the justice minister has no direct authority over such matters and that prosecutors handle whether indictments are maintained. Kim also addressed criticism over his past calls to drop Lee’s cases and separate allegations tied to a COVID-19 medication lobbying incident.

Key Facts

Kim is a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party over his role in a group calling for Lee’s indictments to be dropped.
He said prosecutors have the authority over maintaining indictments in individual cases and that he would respect that authority.
Lee Jae Myung faced multiple criminal trials before his presidential election in June last year, and the trials have been postponed because sitting presidents are exempt from criminal prosecution except in cases of insurrection or treason.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 3, 2026 10:50 am KST
Updated Sep 3, 2026 2:22 pm KST

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won speaks to reporters after arriving at his office in central Seoul, Thursday, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. Yonhap

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won on Thursday denied any intention to order the withdrawal of indictments against President Lee Jae Myung if he takes office, saying the position has no direct authority over such matters.

Kim, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party over his involvement in a group of DPK lawmakers calling for dropping Lee's criminal indictments.

"The justice minister has no direct authority and I have no intent to issue orders through the prosecutor general," Kim told reporters when asked about the issue. "Prosecutors have the authority over maintaining indictments in individual cases, so I will respect that."

He explained his involvement in the group was intended to convey the public's stance to correct wrongs in cases brought by the state through "illegal" investigations.

Kim has called for cancelling Lee's indictments, claiming they were brought by politically motivated prosecutors.

Lee had faced multiple criminal trials before his presidential election in June last year. The trials have been postponed as sitting presidents are exempt from criminal prosecution except in the case of insurrection or treason.

The cases are related to charges of making false statements ahead of the 2022 presidential election, corruption related to a development project undertaken during his time as Seongnam mayor, embezzlement of provincial funds during his time as Gyeonggi governor and subornation of perjury.

Additionally, Kim addressed allegations of lobbying for a COVID-19 medication in 2021.

Prosecutors earlier deferred indicting Kim over allegations of asking the then food and drug safety minister to expedite proceedings for the medication's approval.

The prosecution closed the case with a suspension of indictment after determining Kim's request could not be definitively characterized as illegal solicitation.

"It was a request during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine a small domestic company's clinical trial proceedings so that they wouldn't be unfairly delayed," Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team said in a press notice.

The team described his actions as simply delivering a public interest grievance, adding that he did not receive any political donation or valuables in return.

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