President Lee mulls picking justice minister nominee from 2 prosecutor-turned-lawmakers

President Lee Jae Myung is considering nominating a justice minister from among two candidates who have backgrounds in prosecutor-turned-lawmakers, according to a presidential office source. The two candidates under review are Rep. Park Kyoon-taek and Rep. Yang Bu-nam, both members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). This decision comes after the previous nominee, Rep. Kim Seung-won, withdrew his candidacy last month due to lobbying allegations surrounding a COVID-19 treatment drug.

A Cabinet reshuffle in late August saw Lee appoint Kim Seung-won to lead the justice ministry. However, a parliamentary confirmation hearing was held last month, but he ultimately withdrew his candidacy due to the controversy. With a two-month vacancy in the justice minister post, Lee is said to be carefully evaluating the nomination, taking into account public sentiment. Both Park and Yang are first-term lawmakers within the DPK.