Legislative Committee Adopts Kim Seung-won's Confirmation Report Led by Democratic Party... People Power Party Walks Out (Comprehensive)

The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee adopted the confirmation hearing report for Seungwon Kim, nominee for Minister of Justice, on September 17.

The committee convened a plenary session that day and adopted the confirmation hearing report regarding Kim's nomination. Lawmakers from the People Power Party protested the inclusion of the confirmation report on the plenary session agenda and left the assembly hall in response.

Seungwon Kim, nominee for Minister of Justice, is attending the 'Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister of Justice Confirmation Hearing' held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on September 15, 2026, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Park Hyungsoo, the People Power Party's secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated, "We strongly object to the addition of the confirmation hearing report to the legislative schedule," adding, "Yesterday, Democratic Party secretary Kim Eui-Kyeom asked whether we could cooperate in adopting the report, but we only responded by saying—how can we cooperate in this situation, when none of the suspicions have been resolved? That was the extent of the conversation."

Assemblyman Kim responded, "It is not true that there was no discussion," explaining, "I met with Assemblyman Park and requested that he process it, but he immediately said it was not possible." Kim added, "As the public saw during the hearing, the divide between the People Power Party and the Democratic Party was so significant that reaching a compromise was difficult. I believe people will understand this."

With the People Power Party lawmakers having exited, there was a request for revisions to parts of the confirmation report raised by People Power Party members during the committee session. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Kyuntaek said, "While the content quotes claims from People Power Party lawmakers, isn't it misleading to portray them as if they are illegal? The term 'indication' should be modified to 'claim,' among other expressions." In line with ruling party members’ requests, some language in the confirmation report is set to be revised.

The People Power Party members who left the session held a separate press conference, stating, "We walked out in protest of the Democratic Party's unilateral push for a predetermined conclusion, blocking any proper verification process. We cannot agree to this," and added, "We strongly demand the Democratic Party immediately halt and withdraw the adoption of the confirmation report for Seungwon Kim, whom the majority of people oppose and who has numerous legal and ethical flaws."

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