‘Lobbying texts and dual office’ become flashpoints in South Korea’s confirmation hearings

President Lee Jae-myung brought forward a reshuffle of six ministries to renew the government, but controversies surrounding some nominees are threatening to overwhelm that message. Within the ruling camp, concern is growing that the confirmation disputes could instead burden the administration.

The sharpest attacks have focused on Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Gender Equality and Family Minister. Opposition lawmakers have seized on allegations that Kim asked the former head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to help speed approval of clinical trials for a pharmaceutical company’s COVID-19 treatment. Prosecutors gave him a suspended indictment in December 2024.

Kim’s case has returned to the spotlight ahead of his parliamentary hearing. Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon released text messages Kim sent in 2021 and demanded an explanation. The People Power Party said the controversy was serious enough that Kim should withdraw from consideration or should have been screened out during the presidential office’s vetting process.

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We brought forward the reshuffle for renewal, but the controversies surrounding the nominees are instead becoming a burden for government operations.

Yong continues to face questions over holding a ministerial position while retaining her National Assembly seat. Critics have also accused her of benefiting unfairly from a satellite proportional-representation party’s arrangement that helped her win a second term. Some ruling-party figures fear the issue could further damage support among people in their 20s and 30s.

The presidential office says the nominees should explain the allegations during their hearings. A Korea Social Opinion Research Institute poll conducted by automated telephone response from August 31 to September 1 recorded 46.6% negative views of the reshuffle and 37.7% positive views. Hearings for Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Minister nominee Lee So-young and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister nominee Hong Ji-sun are set for September 15 and 16. Kim’s and Yong’s hearings could take place as early as September 18.

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If the matter is this serious, he should withdraw from the ministerial post himself or should have been filtered out during the presidential office’s personnel vetting.