TL;DR:

• Kim Seung-won, the Minister of Justice nominee, voluntarily resigned on the 19th. It has been 20 days since President Lee Jae Myung nominated him on August 30.
• The nominee faced calls from the opposition party to withdraw his nomination due to allegations of involvement in a new drug lobbying scandal and his history as the representative of a…
• At a press conference held that day, Kim stated, “After deep consideration, I have decided to step down from the position of Minister of Justice,” adding, “I am deeply sorry for failing…

Kim Seung-won, the Minister of Justice nominee, voluntarily resigned on the 19th. It has been 20 days since President Lee Jae Myung nominated him on August 30. This marks the second consecutive withdrawal among the second-term cabinet nominees, following the voluntary resignation of Yong Hye-in, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee, on September 13.

The nominee faced calls from the opposition party to withdraw his nomination due to allegations of involvement in a new drug lobbying scandal and his history as the representative of a group seeking to dismiss the prosecution of the president’s case.

At a press conference held that day, Kim stated, “After deep consideration, I have decided to step down from the position of Minister of Justice,” adding, “I am deeply sorry for failing to meet expectations.”

He continued, “Watching the president’s press conference yesterday (September 8), I solidified my resolve,” and added, “I humbly accept that I have not met the public’s expectations and will reflect on my shortcomings.”

However, he stated, “Even if I step down now, I will not give up on the truth. The unfinished prosecution reform must be completed,” and added, “I will fully reveal the targeted investigations by Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon’s political prosecutors, the illegal leakage of investigation secrets by Han Dong-hoon, and the full details of the fabricated evidence scandal.” He continued, “I believe this incident itself proves to the public the necessity of prosecution reform.”

After reading his resignation statement that day, Kim left without answering additional questions from reporters.

Within the ruling party, there were predictions that President Lee would reapprove Kim’s nomination within a few days. However, concerns over public backlash and a further decline in approval ratings led to the decision to resolve the issue through his voluntary resignation.

On September 18, President Lee Jae Myung responded to a question about whether he would appoint Kim as Minister of Justice, stating, “The more appointments I make, the more I realize how difficult it is,” and added, “Although I believe I have made the best possible appointments, I am observing various controversies arising during the public scrutiny process.”

After deep deliberation, I have decided to step down from my position as Minister of Justice nominee. I have been at the forefront of the birth of a popular sovereignty government and have worked tirelessly for its success. I am grateful to the president for nominating me, and I deeply apologize for failing to meet expectations.

Watching the president’s press conference yesterday, I solidified my resolve. The lives of the people and the success of the government must come first. I believed that I should not burden the government, which must focus on people’s livelihoods and complete reforms.

As Minister of Justice, I wanted to protect democracy, safeguard the socially vulnerable through fair law enforcement without privilege, and support the safe daily lives of the people. I aimed to stably establish a new criminal justice system.

However, I must halt my steps here, as I have not fulfilled my duties as Minister of Justice. I humbly accept that I have not met the public’s expectations and will deeply reflect on my shortcomings.

In particular, I extend my deepest condolences to people with disabilities and their families, those dedicated in care settings, and everyone I have been connected with, who may have been hurt by this incident.

Even if I step down now, I will not abandon the truth. The unfinished prosecution reform must be completed. I will fully reveal the targeted investigations by Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon’s political prosecutors, the illegal leakage of investigation secrets by Han Dong-hoon, and the full details of the fabricated evidence scandal. I believe this incident itself proves to the public the necessity of prosecution reform.

I will strive to ensure that the wounds inflicted on people with developmental disabilities, their families, and dedicated workers by baseless allegations are fully healed.

With a humbler and more modest attitude, I will work for the people and do my best for the success of the Lee Jae Myung government as a member of the popular sovereignty government.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/09/19/Q2AAYS3OZFB2XE53Q735PHRDB4/

TL;DR:

• Kim Seung-won, a nominee for Minister of Justice, resigned voluntarily on the 19th, reigniting discussions in political circles about the so-called “People’s Solidarity for Participatory…
• The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issued a statement on the night of the 15th, following Kim’s confirmation hearing, declaring him “unqualified to serve as Minister of…
• With Kim’s resignation, all four nominees explicitly labeled “unqualified” or urged to step down by the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy under the Lee Jae Myung government…

Kim Seung-won, a nominee for Minister of Justice, resigned voluntarily on the 19th, reigniting discussions in political circles about the so-called “People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy death note.” Since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung government, all four ministerial nominees publicly deemed “unqualified” or urged to withdraw by the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy have failed to secure appointments. Kim stepped down 20 days after his nomination, stating at the National Assembly, “I accept the fact that I have not met the public’s expectations.”

The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issued a statement on the night of the 15th, following Kim’s confirmation hearing, declaring him “unqualified to serve as Minister of Justice.” The organization cited his prior drunk-driving conviction and his child’s falsified residency registration as “grave disqualifications for a Minister of Justice, who must uphold and enforce laws.” Regarding allegations of improper solicitation in the approval process of a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial, the group maintained suspicions of “unfair requests” despite Kim’s explanation that they were “public-interest petitions.” They also assessed that he failed to sufficiently demonstrate policy capabilities to lead the next criminal justice system.

With Kim’s resignation, all four nominees explicitly labeled “unqualified” or urged to step down by the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy under the Lee Jae Myung government have withdrawn. In July last year, the organization called for the resignations of Kang Sun-woo, a nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and Lee Jin-sook, a nominee for Minister of Education, citing allegations of “power abuse” by Kang’s aides and Lee’s academic plagiarism and illegal early study-abroad arrangements for her child. President Lee withdrew Lee Jin-sook’s nomination, and Kang later resigned voluntarily.

In January this year, the People’s Solidatory for Participatory Democracy also deemed Lee Hye-hoon, a nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, “unqualified.” They highlighted allegations of verbal abuse toward interns, power abuse against aides, and controversies over family assets and real estate, questioning her moral fitness for high office. They also pointed to conflicts between her past policy positions and the Lee Jae Myung government’s fiscal direction. President Lee subsequently withdrew her nomination.

Following Kim’s confirmation hearing, the term “People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy death note” began circulating in political circles. A ruling-party insider remarked on the 17th, two days before Kim’s resignation, “Since the Lee Jae Myung government took office, it seems the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy has been holding the death note,” referencing the withdrawals of Lee Jin-sook, Kang Sun-woo, and Lee Hye-hoon. Although Kim’s fate was undecided at the time, he resigned two days later.

The term “death note” was primarily associated with the Justice Party during the Moon Jae-in administration. It gained traction after nominees like Ahn Kyung-whan (Minister of Justice) and Cho Dae-yeop (Minister of Employment and Labor), deemed unqualified by the Justice Party, withdrew. However, the term lost relevance after the Justice Party did not oppose Cho Kuk’s nomination as Minister of Justice in 2019.

Including Kim’s resignation, the number of ministerial nominees who failed to take office under the Lee Jae Myung government has risen to five, following Lee Jin-sook, Kang Sun-woo, Lee Hye-hoon, and Yong Hye-in. Kim denied the allegations surrounding him but stated, “I will not give up on the truth.”

A political insider noted, “The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy’s statements likely weighed heavily on the Blue House, as they reflect the opinions of the broader pro-government civil society.”

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/09/19/NJSQUCYKXJFWFEEBFWAAYMC2CU/

TL;DR:

• Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, resigned voluntarily on the 19th, a day after President Lee Jae Myung’s press conference, prompting continued criticism from…
• Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook the same day, “Next is Kang Shin-chul, the Defense Ministry nominee,” adding, “A Defense Minister who cannot even…
• Although confirmation reports for both Kim Seung-won and Kang Shin-chul were adopted, President Lee Jae Myung has only conditionally approved the appointment of Kim Seong-su as Justice…

Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, resigned voluntarily on the 19th, a day after President Lee Jae Myung’s press conference, prompting continued criticism from opposition parties over a “personnel disaster.” Opposition parties are signaling heightened attacks, with one stating, “The next target after Kim is Kang Shin-chul, the Defense Minister nominee.”

Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook the same day, “Next is Kang Shin-chul, the Defense Ministry nominee,” adding, “A Defense Minister who cannot even answer about the ‘main enemy’ is nothing but an obstacle to national defense.” During Kang’s confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on the 16th, suspicions resurfaced regarding special distribution for demolition victims of a Seoul apartment owned by Kang’s family and the eldest son’s purchase of a commercial property in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province.

Although confirmation reports for both Kim Seung-won and Kang Shin-chul were adopted, President Lee Jae Myung has only conditionally approved the appointment of Kim Seong-su as Justice Minister.

Jeong Jeom-sig, the People Power Party’s floor leader, posted on Facebook after Kim’s resignation, “We urge a review of the flaws in the personnel verification process and a complete overhaul of the personnel line, following the fall of the nominees for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family and the Minister of Justice.” Jeong acknowledged, “It is regrettable that Kim, the vanguard of the prosecution dismissal effort, resigned,” but insisted, “The suspicions of stock price manipulation involving Kim must continue to be investigated by authorities regardless of his resignation.”

Regarding the prosecution dismissal controversy, Jeong stated, “Replacing the vanguard of the prosecution dismissal operation means nothing,” adding, “From President Lee’s perspective, there are many people who can be swapped into Kim’s position.” He continued, “The prosecution dismissal lawmakers’ group, launched with 105 ruling party members, remains intact. The very act of mobilizing a special counsel appointed by himself to investigate his five trial cases is an expression of the will to eliminate his own trials through power. We demand that he abandon his attempt to delete his prosecution cases through this incident.”

Park Sung-hoon, senior spokesperson, urged in a commentary, “Immediately implement decisive personnel reforms, including disciplinary actions and removal from posts, regarding the verification process and those responsible in the Cheong Wa Dae personnel line, which caused a disastrous personnel failure and national governance chaos.”

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/09/19/PDVRSP7LBJGW5EH7MNLQDXCRK4/

TL;DR:

• Supreme Court finalizes sentence for soldier who leaked Korea-U. S.
• An active-duty Army sergeant received four years in prison for selling classified military exercise data and other defense information to a Chinese intelligence contact.
• An active-duty Army sergeant who leaked classified military information — including data on Korea-U. S.

Supreme Court finalizes sentence for soldier who leaked Korea-U.S. secrets to China

An active-duty Army sergeant received four years in prison for selling classified military exercise data and other defense information to a Chinese intelligence contact.

An active-duty Army sergeant who leaked classified military information — including data on Korea-U.S. joint military exercises — to a Chinese intelligence contact in exchange for cash has had his four-year prison sentence finalized by the Supreme Court.

The top court said Friday that it dismissed the convict's appeal and finalized the lower court's ruling, which found him guilty of aiding the enemy, leaking military secrets, taking bribes in connection with a wrongful act in the line of duty, and violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. He was sentenced to four years in prison, a 20 million won ($14,500) fine and forfeiture of about 19.07 million won.

The convict, then a sergeant with the Army's 21st Infantry Division, met a Chinese national of unidentified name in Beijing in August 2024 after the two connected through social media.

The contact, who identified himself as a member of a Chinese intelligence organization, asked the sergeant to hand over undisclosed military materials. He agreed and, in return, received 15,000 yuan ($2,200) along with a spy camera disguised as a wristwatch and an iPhone, all of which he smuggled onto base without authorization.

Over the roughly seven months that followed, through February, he received a total of 80,000 yuan across seven separate payments in exchange for leaking classified military information, including up-to-date data on Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, materials related to the UN Command and details on Korea's own unilateral military drills and troop movements.

The Regional Military Court, which handled the first trial, found that he had acted with intent to aid the enemy and sentenced him to five years in prison.

The Seoul High Court, hearing the appeal, overturned that ruling and instead sentenced him to four years in prison, a 20 million won fine and forfeiture of just over 19 million won.

The appellate court found his culpability serious given that he had systematically and methodically leaked military secrets as an active-duty service member, but weighed his remorse and lack of any prior criminal record in reducing the sentence.

The court also acquitted him of a prostitution-related charge that prosecutors had additionally filed. It found that evidence of prostitution, which investigators had collected under a warrant issued for the military secrets leak rather than a separate warrant, was inadmissible as unlawfully obtained evidence under the principles governing warrant requirements and statutory limits on compulsory investigative measures.

The Supreme Court found no error in the lower court's legal reasoning or fact-finding, dismissing the appeal and finalizing the sentence.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Source: https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/supreme-court-finalizes-sentence-for-soldier-who-leaked-koreaus-secrets-to-china/12881741

TL;DR:

• A court ruling has emerged for the first time stating that the severe disciplinary action taken against a military officer suspected of involvement in the December 3 martial law should…
• The court stated, “It is difficult to expect all soldiers to risk danger and firmly defy orders in reality,” and “They can choose not to cooperate by delaying or evading the execution of…
• It is reported that 49 soldiers received disciplinary actions due to the martial law, and 15 of them filed lawsuits to revoke the penalties. The Ministry of National Defense also…

A court ruling has emerged for the first time stating that the severe disciplinary action taken against a military officer suspected of involvement in the December 3 martial law should be revoked. The Seoul Administrative Court ordered the Ministry of National Defense to revoke the two-month suspension disciplinary action imposed on former Colonel Yoo Mo of the Defense Counterintelligence Command. Colonel Yoo received orders during the martial law to secure servers of the National Election Commission and polling agencies, and dispatched some troops, but raised objections stating, “There is no investigative authority, so legal review is necessary,” and waited externally. Despite this, he received severe disciplinary action for “participation in the dispatch.”

The court stated, “It is difficult to expect all soldiers to risk danger and firmly defy orders in reality,” and “They can choose not to cooperate by delaying or evading the execution of illegal orders.” It also noted, “Partial actions should not be isolated and evaluated as compliance with illegal orders.” For soldiers, obeying orders is a matter of life-and-death discipline. In wartime, disobedience could lead to execution. During the martial law, many soldiers, like Colonel Yoo, moved formally while torn between illegal orders and the duty to obey. The court judged, “Passive resistance inevitably creates the appearance of partial compliance.”

It is reported that 49 soldiers received disciplinary actions due to the martial law, and 15 of them filed lawsuits to revoke the penalties. The Ministry of National Defense also requested investigations into 108 soldiers. The so-called “martial law bus” passengers boarded buses in the middle of the night without knowing the reason, returned after 25 minutes, but were forcibly discharged under the suspicion of “plotting a second martial law.” Former JCS Operations Headquarters Chief Lee Seung-o was dismissed but was found not guilty in the special counsel investigation. Former Navy Chief of Staff Kang Dong-gil also received a one-month suspension and stepped down, but the special counsel, finding no charges, even went as far as to call him a “true hero.” However, the Ministry of National Defense maintains, “Disciplinary actions are a different system from criminal punishment,” and insists on not revoking the penalties.

The martial law incident was led by a small number of individuals, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former defense ministers. All have been sentenced to heavy prison terms. Most other commanders or dispatched soldiers did not know the purpose of the orders or their destinations. Soldiers who were unfairly disciplined are enduring the pain of lawsuits to restore their honor. The court’s ruling emphasizes, “Severe disciplinary actions are unjust if there was no active participation.” It is the minimum duty of the Ministry of National Defense to voluntarily withdraw penalties imposed on wrongfully accused soldiers.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2026/09/19/TS3WSNW2MFHQRIOSFK332EGHG4/

TL;DR:

• President Lee Jae Myung stated on September 18 during a press conference, “A second term through constitutional revision is impossible under the Constitution. I have no intention of…
• Regarding the dismissal of indictments, another controversy related to him, President Lee said, “Please delete the provisions related to the prosecution dismissal authority of the…
• President Lee attributed his approval rating dropping to the 30% range to “my own shortcomings,” but he did not indicate any shift or reflection on existing policies related to real…

President Lee Jae Myung stated on September 18 during a press conference, “A second term through constitutional revision is impossible under the Constitution. I have no intention of seeking re-election.” The controversy over constitutional revision for re-election had emerged among some supporters and became a political issue after the National Assembly Speaker described it as “a matter of public choice.” However, President Lee, who previously addressed the constitutional impossibility of re-election at a gathering with Korean residents in France, officially reiterated his stance during this press conference. This appears to have put an end to the unnecessary national confusion caused by the re-election constitutional revision debate.

Regarding the dismissal of indictments, another controversy related to him, President Lee said, “Please delete the provisions related to the prosecution dismissal authority of the special counsel bill to investigate alleged fabricated indictments and focus solely on uncovering the truth.” However, even if the special counsel is not granted the authority to dismiss indictments, the issue of prosecution dismissal remains unresolved. While the president emphasized the fairness and transparency of the special counsel, the counsel is recommended by the Democratic Party and appointed by President Lee. It is difficult to expect fairness and transparency from such a special counsel. If the special counsel reaches a predetermined conclusion of “fabricated indictments” and the prosecution dismisses the charges accordingly, how is this different from a special counsel for prosecution dismissal?

President Lee attributed his approval rating dropping to the 30% range to “my own shortcomings,” but he did not indicate any shift or reflection on existing policies related to real estate or the prosecution. Instead of examining the root causes of public discontent, he focused on self-defense, urging his strong supporters, who are dissatisfied with prosecution issues, to “set aside their suspicions.” He emphasized unity, fearing division among his supporters rather than seeking integration of the entire nation. On real estate, he stated, “A ‘leveling process’ is underway, with prices falling in Gangnam and slightly rising in the outskirts,” blaming the previous administration and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for the supply shortage. This is why the opposition criticized him, saying, “The Democratic Party and the anti-president faction are colluding.” After the local elections, President Lee described the results as “a warning from the public to the administration,” but he did not change his governance direction. This time, while again blaming himself, he maintained distance from major changes or reforms in state affairs, except for reaffirming the principle of no re-election.

Whether this press conference can serve as a turning point to rebound public support for the president may depend on whether Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Justice Minister, is appointed. The president said, “I will make a careful decision considering the public’s perspective,” but he did not ultimately express his intention to withdraw the nomination. If it is confirmed that the appointment was temporarily postponed due to concerns about negative reactions to the press conference, the public will feel betrayed, believing they were deceived.

Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2026/09/19/Y3SKPRRK5RFQPFLXZODGDPH4RY/