Seungwon Kim and Hyein Yong Cabinet Shake-Up Turns Problematic... But the Blue House Still Holds On

"Wait Until the Personnel Hearing"

Kim Minseok Dismisses Nomination Withdrawal Reports as "Science Fiction"

Opposition Expands Allegations of Stock Price Manipulation Involvement

Regarding the controversy surrounding Seungwon Kim, nominee for Minister of Justice, and Yong Hyein, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, the Blue House has expressed the position that it will wait until the National Assembly’s personnel hearing. While allegations of seeking favors for a new drug have been raised against Kim, the ruling party has responded by criticizing independent lawmaker Han Donghoon, who is leading the offensive. However, the opposition party is escalating the issue further, citing suspicions of involvement in stock price manipulation and other matters.

While accompanying President Lee Jaemyung on his state visit to France, a Blue House official met with reporters in Paris on the 7th (local time) and commented on the status of the two nominees, stating, "The personnel hearing system itself serves as a process for public vetting of the nominees," and added, "Since the nominees were selected through the personnel system under the responsibility of the personnel committee chair, the hearing should be the next step."

On September 7, Kim Seungwon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, is explaining various allegations while arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Jeokseon Hyundai Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Cho Yongjun

Although some reports suggested that the ruling party had recommended the withdrawal of Yong’s nomination, both the Blue House and the Democratic Party denied this. On the 8th, Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on Democratic Party TV and dismissed media reports that President Lee made a decision for Yong’s voluntary resignation or withdrawal of her nomination during a farewell event for the France visit, calling them "science fiction."

The ruling bloc has shifted to a counter-offensive regarding allegations against nominee Kim. Kim Eui-gyeom, Democratic Party whip on the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said on CBS Radio’s 'Park Sungtae’s News Show,' "(The disclosure of lawmaker Han’s transcript) is what I consider ‘selective editing’," adding, "The media is only releasing sensational and provocative comments, causing the public to misunderstand."

In contrast, the opposition claims that after nominee Kim sought approval for a new drug, Genencell acquired Sejong Medical, a listed company. They allege that after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved the clinical trial and Sejong Medical’s stock price soared, a certain group engaged in large-scale sell-offs to profit from the surge. Additionally, they raise suspicions that KH Group (KH Philux), which has ties to Ssangbangwool Group involved in the "North Korea remittance case," was an early investor in Genencell. Na Kyungwon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, has even called for a parliamentary investigation and the introduction of a special prosecutor.

Yong Hyein, candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on September 7, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Meanwhile, Han Donghoon, the independent lawmaker, is playing a prominent role in this round of scrutiny. He has been circulating various transcript recordings on the issue surrounding nominee Kim and has posted over 100 messages on social media, taking the lead in shaping the narrative. Nevertheless, there are concerns within the opposition about potential backlash due to anti-prosecution sentiment and other factors.

Ahn Cheolsoo, lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated, "The left is rallying together due to suspicions that investigation materials have been leaked." Another lawmaker from the People Power Party commented during a phone call, "It is true that he is working very hard, but some members of the public feel uncomfortable about the use of any means necessary," adding, "There is concern about possible backlash, similar to the so-called ‘chopstick remark’ during the presidential election."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.