Why are the ruling and opposition parties clashing over Lee Jae Myung’s Cabinet reshuffle in the National Assembly?

The PPP says the reshuffle choices are unacceptable, targeting Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in. The DPK says the reshuffle is needed to advance the administration’s liberal bloc prosecution reform agenda.

What is the controversy over constitutional revision during the National Assembly interpellation session?

The PPP argued that a constitutional amendment could pave the way for Lee Jae Myung to seek another term. The DPK has pushed for revision, including adopting a four-year, two-term presidential system.

Rival parties clash over Cabinet reshuffle, constitutional revision at interpellation session

Q: What prosecution reform changes are tied to the political dispute at the interpellation session?

The DPK stressed finishing the plan to strip the prosecution of its power to conduct direct investigations. The prosecution office will be shut down in October, and two new agencies will separately handle investigations and indictments.

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Summary

Rival parties clashed at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday over President Lee Jae Myung’s Cabinet reshuffle and constitutional revision. The main opposition People Power Party attacked Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in, while the ruling Democratic Party of Korea defended the reshuffle and prosecution reform drive. Constitutional revision also became a major point of dispute, with the PPP warning it could help Lee seek another term. The interpellation sessions will continue through next Monday.

Key Facts

The National Assembly opened four days of interpellation sessions on Wednesday, starting with political affairs.
The PPP criticized Kim Seung-won over allegations that he illegally lobbied for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021 and over his involvement in a group of ruling party lawmakers calling for dropping Lee Jae Myung’s criminal indictments.
Yong Hye-in was criticized for keeping her National Assembly seat after being appointed to the Cabinet position.
The prosecution office is scheduled to be shut down in October, 78 years after its establishment in 1948, and two new agencies will separately handle investigations and indictments.
The interpellation schedule includes foreign affairs, unification and security on Thursday, economic affairs on Friday, and social issues next Monday.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 9, 2026 10:39 am KST
Updated Sep 9, 2026 5:04 pm KST

The National Assembly holds an interpellation session on political affairs in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The National Assembly began four days of interpellation sessions Wednesday, with the ruling and opposition parties clashing over President Lee Jae Myung's recent Cabinet reshuffle and other contentious issues.

During the session, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) stepped up its criticism of Lee's pick of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in.

"We are witnessing a personnel fiasco that is beyond what anyone can reasonably accept," PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won said.

Rep. Yun Jae-ok called for the nominees to be dropped and replaced with new candidates, slamming the government for carrying out a Cabinet reshuffle that is not aligned with public sentiment.

Kim, a two-term lawmaker, is accused of illegally lobbying for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021. He has also faced criticism from the PPP over his involvement in a group of ruling party lawmakers calling for dropping Lee's criminal indictments.

Yong faces criticism over her decision to keep her National Assembly seat even after being appointed to the Cabinet position.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) stressed the need to complete the Lee administration's push for the liberal bloc's long-sought prosecution reforms, including stripping the prosecution of its power to conduct direct investigations.

The prosecution office will be shut down in October, 78 years after its establishment in 1948, and two new agencies will separately handle investigations and indictments.

Constitutional revision also emerged as a key issue of contention during the session, with the PPP raising concerns that the move could pave the way for Lee to seek another term.

"All the president needs to do is clearly say that he will not seek another term," Rep. Na said, calling on the prime minister to convey the request to Lee.

The DPK has stressed the need for a constitutional amendment, including adopting a four-year, two-term presidential system through the constitutional revision.

Wednesday's session on political affairs will be followed by a session on foreign affairs, unification and security on Thursday, economic affairs on Friday and social issues next Monday.

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