▲ Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won attends his parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Sept. 15, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won said Saturday he would withdraw his candidacy amid controversy over various allegations, including lobbying for a COVID-19 treatment.

The two-term ruling Democratic Party lawmaker made the announcement, 20 days after President Lee Jae Myung tapped him for the role.

"(I) deeply accept that I did not meet the people's expectations and will deeply reflect on my shortcomings," he said in a press conference at the National Assembly.

The move comes after a parliamentary committee adopted his confirmation hearing report Thursday amid objections from the main opposition People Power Party over the allegations.

On Friday, Lee said he would make a decision on his appointment by considering the public's expectations.

Kim has faced accusations of illegally lobbying the food and drug safety ministry to speed up approval for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021 at a broker's request.

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