Kim Seung-won, the nominee for justice minister, withdrew from consideration on the 19th, saying "the lives of the people and the success of the government come first." The move came 20 days after his nomination.
Kim announced his decision at a press conference at the National Assembly, saying, "After deep deliberation, I have decided to step down as the nominee for justice minister." He then bowed his head and said, "I am grateful to the president for nominating me, and I am truly sorry for failing to meet expectations."
"I accept with a heavy heart that I fell short of the public's standards, and I will reflect deeply on my shortcomings," Kim said. He added, "I extend my deepest sympathies to people with disabilities and their families who may have been hurt by this, to those who have devoted themselves to care work, and to everyone I have been connected with."
He made clear, however, that he would not abandon prosecution reform or efforts to establish the truth behind the allegations he had raised. "Even if I step down from this post, I will not give up on the truth," Kim said. "I will see the unfinished prosecution reform through to completion."
He went on to say, "I will uncover the full picture of the targeted investigations by the political prosecutors under Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, Han's illegal leaking of investigative secrets, and the fabrication scandal." He added, "I believe this episode itself proves to the public why prosecution reform is necessary."
Kim also addressed those harmed by the controversy, saying, "I will work to heal the wounds suffered by people with developmental disabilities, their families and the dedicated care workers as a result of the unsubstantiated allegations raised against him."
He closed by saying, "I will work for the people with a better and humbler attitude, and as a member of a government founded on popular sovereignty, I will do my utmost for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
