# South Korean political tension over administration and resh나 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-political-tension-over-administration-and-resh > Updated: 2026-09-09T06:50:46.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 7. South Korean politics remain defined by debates over administrative relocation to Sejong and intense scrutiny of President Lee Jae-myung’s cabinet nominees. As parliamentary hearings approach, the People Power Party (PPP) has demanded a total withdrawal of nominations, labeling the reshuffle a “disastrous personnel appointment.” Ministerial nominee Kim Seung-won faces escalating allegations, including a potential lobbying scandal involving COVID-19 drug clinical trials. Critics, including former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, have characterized the controversy as “bar madam politics,” alleging Kim used a broker to influence the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. New allegations from PPP members include discrepancies in his spouse's asset disclosures and the operation of an unregistered educational facility. Some lawmakers have suggested his nomination was an attempt to secure a compliant official to assist with legal issues facing the administration. Yong Hye-in, nominated for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, faces scrutiny over her decision to maintain her seat as a proportional representative and allegations of maintaining private or “underground” organizations. The PPP has linked her appointment to flaws in the mixed-member proportional representation system and has called for her resignation. The vetting process has expanded to include real estate controversies involving nominees Lee Hyeong-il, Lee So-young, and Kang Shin-cheol. These mounting controversies have coincided with a decline in President Lee’s approval ratings, which recently hit 34.6% positive against 62.8% negative. Additionally, the PPP has criticized President Lee’s recent remarks regarding constitutional term limits, describing them as an “evasive attempt” to avoid committing to not seeking re-election through constitutional amendments. Internal party debates also continue regarding whether to restore the membership of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon for the upcoming confirmation hearings. ## Claims - Jang Dong-hyuk criticized President Lee Jae-myung's comments on term limits as an attempt to avoid addressing potential constitutional amendments for re-election. (disputed by 2 sources) - The People Power Party has called for the resignation of both Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rep. Jeong Jeom-sik attributed controversies surrounding Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in to the mixed-member proportional representation system. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won was appointed because his alleged flaws will make him more compliant with the President. (single source) - People Power Party Supreme Council member Woo Jae-jun proposed restoring Han Dong-hoon's party membership to allow him to participate in the Kim Seung-won confirmation hearing. (single source) - Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo alleged that Kim Seung-won made calls to a broker to request favors during a National Assembly audit in October 2021. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: South Korean cabinet nominees face real estate vetting South Korean cabinet nominees face intense scrutiny during confirmation hearings over allegations of speculative real estate holdings, non-resident ownership, and improper residency registrations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-cabinet-nominees-face-real-estate-vetting ### 2026-09-09: People Power Party targets cabinet nominees and term limit remarks The People Power Party is demanding the resignation of cabinet nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in while criticizing President Lee Jae-myung's stance on constitutional term limits. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-criticizes-lee-administrations-cabinet-nominees ### 2026-09-07: Hong Joon-pyo warns of plummeting approval ratings over cabinet nominees Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo warned that President Lee Jae-myung’s approval ratings could drop to 20% due to controversies surrounding cabinet nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hong-joon-pyo-warns-of-plummeting-approval-ratings-over-cabinet-nominees ### 2026-09-06: People Power Party demands withdrawal of cabinet reshuffle South Korea’s People Power Party has demanded the total withdrawal of President Lee Jae-myung’s cabinet reshuffle, citing controversies surrounding several ministerial nominees. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-demands-withdrawal-of-cabinet-reshuffle ### 2026-09-04: South Korean cabinet nominees face intense scrutiny South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s cabinet nominees, Yong Hye-in and Kim Seung-won, face intense scrutiny over allegations of corruption, party favoritism, and breaking political conventions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-cabinet-nominees-face-intense-scrutiny ### 2026-09-04: People Power Party attacks cabinet nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in South Korea's People Power Party is demanding the withdrawal of cabinet nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in, citing allegations of illegal lobbying, stock manipulation, and unsuitability for office. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-attacks-cabinet-nominees-kim-seung-won-and-yong-hye-in ### 2026-09-02: South Korean political tension rises over Sejong capital and ministerial nominees South Korean politics face turbulence as the Democratic Party pushes for Sejong's administrative capital status while the People Power Party attacks ministerial nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-party-leader-kim-min-seok-pushes-for-sejong-administrative-capital-law --- Cite as: South Korean political tension over administration and resh나. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-political-tension-over-administration-and-resh