Jeong Jeongsik: "If Kim Seungwon Is Appointed, Public Opinion Will Judge... Hong Jiseon and Kang Shinchul Nominations Must Also Be Withdrawn"

Jeong Jeongsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on September 16, "If President Lee Jaemyung presses ahead with appointing Kim Seungwon as Minister of Justice, he will face the judgment of public opinion, which is even harsher than a trial." He added, "The nominations of Hong Jiseon for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Kang Shinchul for Minister of National Defense should also be withdrawn on the grounds that both are unqualified."

Jeong Jeomsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th, delivering a general speech. 2026.09.15 Photo by Yoon Dongju

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that morning, floor leader Jeong addressed the issue regarding the adoption of hearing reports for each nominee, saying, "Although this needs to be further discussed with the hearing committee members, as floor leader, I personally believe it is not possible," thereby making his position clear.

Regarding nominee Kim, Jeong said, "The ruling party calls the opposition evil and a threat, but it is nominee Kim—who lobbied on behalf of drugs that killed hamsters—who is truly a social threat," adding, "He evaded questions even at a hearing watched by the entire nation, so it's obvious that, if he becomes minister, he'll try to drop the prosecution."

On nominee Kang, Jeong remarked, "Seeing how his entire family successfully posed as evictees to secure a special apartment allocation in Seocho-dong, he may not be good at setting boundaries, but he certainly excels at deception as a soldier." Regarding nominee Hong, Jeong expressed concern that "he will function merely as an administrative minister subservient to the will of the presidential office, suggesting that the failed real estate policy line will continue."

Commenting on President Lee's plan to hold a press conference, Jeong stated, "It appears he has been pressed to act by declining approval ratings, but unless he demonstrates a real shift in the direction of state affairs, this second cabinet reshuffle will prove ineffective." He further said, "I hope the president will announce a policy shift in real estate and a commitment to respecting the separation of powers, and put this into practice by withdrawing Kim's nomination."

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