{
  "id": 8378795,
  "title": "S. Korea’s justice nominee withdraws in Lee’s second cabinet setback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/s-koreas-justice-nominee-withdraws-in-lees-second-cabinet-setback",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T04:03:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/19/s-korea-s-justice-nominee-withdraws-in-lee-s-second-cabinet-setback"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's nominee for justice minister, Kim Seung-won, has withdrawn from consideration, marking the second cabinet pick to step aside this month amid a decline in his approval ratings. This comes shortly after the withdrawal of his gender-equality minister nominee, Yong Hye-in, following allegations of financial irregularities and lobbying over a drug trial.\n\nKim cited a desire not to burden the president's administration and admitted to not meeting public expectations. At a press conference, Kim expressed deep reflection on his shortcomings and denied the allegations against him.\n\nPresident Lee Jae Myung acknowledged the issues, stating that the administration is currently working to reexamine its personnel system. The president's approval rating, according to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, stands at 37%, the lowest since he assumed office in June 2025. This decline has been partly attributed to criticism over his personnel appointments.",
  "summary": "Kim Seung-won's exit follows the withdrawal of Yong Hye-in as nominee for gender-equality minister, as president Lee Jae Myung's approval ratings slump.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kim Seung-won withdraws as justice nominee, citing desire not to burden administration",
    "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating at 37%, lowest since June 2025",
    "Gender-equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in previously withdrew over financial irregularities"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The withdrawal of Kim Seung-won’s nomination deals another blow to President Lee Jae Myung’s cabinet, highlighting the administration's struggle with credibility and approval ratings.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bloomberg",
        "title": "South Korea’s Justice Minister Nominee Withdraws After Reshuffle",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/south-koreas-justice-minister-nominee-withdraws-after-reshuffle",
        "published": "2026-09-19T02:31:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "S. Korea’s justice nominee withdraws in Lee’s second cabinet setback",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/s-koreas-justice-nominee-withdraws-in-lees-second-cabinet-setback-8380257",
        "published": "2026-09-19T04:03:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "South Korea justice nominee withdraws in Lee's second cabinet setback as polls slide",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/south-korea-justice-nominee-withdraws-in-lees-second-cabinet-setback",
        "published": "2026-09-19T04:04:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}