People Power Party Labels Lee's Justice Minister 'Charges-Dismissal Ministry'
The Chosun Ilbo · Park Sang-ki ·
People Power Party Labels Lees Justice Minister Charges-Dismissal Ministry Nominee, longtime Seongnam associate tied to Daejang-dong scandal, faces justice experience scrutiny
President Lee Jae Myung’s nomination of Lee Yong-cheol, minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), as justice minister on the 6th—over two months after the position became vacant—drew sharp criticism from the People Power Party. The opposition party stated, “After going in circles, they’ve chosen a close aide from the Seongnam line who can be trusted to drop criminal charges,” adding, “If Lee is confirmed, the Ministry of Justice will become a ‘Charges-Dismissal Ministry.’”
Lee, the nominee, did not directly handle President Lee’s legal cases or closely assist his political activities. However, he has maintained a nearly 20-year relationship with the president. As a lawyer at Saegil Law Firm, based in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Lee worked alongside President Lee, who was also affiliated with Saegil before being elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010. Both were members of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyeon). A key source from the ruling party described Lee as “the president’s hidden core aide.”
After President Lee became mayor of Seongnam, Lee joined his transition committee and later served as head of the Seongnam Industry Promotion Foundation in 2011. At the time, there was controversy over appointing a lawyer rather than an economic expert, but he reportedly enjoyed the president’s strong trust.
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