The confirmation hearing for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, held at the National Assembly on the 15th, unfolded as expected, marked by shouting and abusive language. The ruling and opposition parties clashed head-on over allegations that a cooperative run by Kim's spouse received preferential treatment and that Kim solicited approval for a new drug's clinical trial. Also brought up were the fraudulent registration of the address of a minor child, Kim's prior fine for drunk driving, and allegations that the child of a sitting judge was hired through favoritism. Harsh words such as "a straw sucking taxpayers' blood" and "devil" flew between the two sides, particularly over the allegations of preferential treatment for the social cooperative run by Kim's spouse.
Controversy had dogged Kim well before the hearing, with allegations piling up one after another. Even so, the Democratic Party of Korea rejected all 48 witnesses and persons of reference requested by the People Power Party to examine the allegations surrounding the nominee. Kim also failed to submit materials the opposition had requested, including documents on the clinical trial of a new drug by pharmaceutical company Genencell, as well as records on the drunk driving case and the hiring of his aides. With no testimony available beyond that of the nominee himself and no related documents open to scrutiny, a full day of questioning served only to deepen the doubts.
The justice minister bears the weighty responsibility of upholding the rule of law and judicial justice, a post that demands public trust more than any other ministry. At the hearing, Kim said he had "led the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act as the ranking member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," adding that "if given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will complete the reform laid out through legislation." Yet in a recent Gallup Korea survey, 43% of respondents said Kim was "unfit" to serve as justice minister, nearly double the 22% who called him "fit." It is doubtful that such public distrust was dispelled by a hollow hearing that only inflated the allegations.
Many view with suspicion the prospect that judicial justice will be shaken if Kim, who took the lead in withdrawing indictments in cases involving President Lee Jae-myung, becomes justice minister. Kim's nomination likely contributed considerably to the recent drop in Lee's approval rating to the 30% range. For now, the ruling bloc and the president may be able to force through Kim's appointment, but it will inevitably become a heavy burden on the administration. If the approval rating falls further amid a public backlash, it will be difficult to restore momentum for governing. A withdrawal of the nomination or a voluntary resignation should come before it is too late.
