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Kang Sun-woo, nominee for gender equality minister, answers questions during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on July 14. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

President Lee Jae-myung is reportedly weighing a decision on whether to appoint Kang Sun-woo as gender equality minister and Lee Jin-sook as deputy prime minister for social affairs and education minister, amid growing opposition to both nominees. The presidential office had initially aimed to push both candidates through confirmation, but intensifying controversies are prompting reconsideration.

On July 17, the presidential office maintained a public stance of withholding judgment. In a press release, senior presidential secretary for public affairs Lee Kyu-yeon stated, “There is no change in our position of observing the confirmation hearings.” Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung added that there had been “no notable shift” in the internal mood.

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Lee Jin-sook, nominee for deputy prime minister for social affairs and education minister, speaks during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on July 16. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

However, multiple ruling party sources say President Lee is increasingly concerned about backlash from within his own camp, rather than from the opposition. The association of former chiefs of staff from the Democratic Party’s aides council (Minbohyeop) has publicly called for Kang’s resignation, joined by major women’s rights organizations such as the Korean Women’s Political Network and the Korean Women’s Associations United, who labeled her “unfit.” Participatory Solidarity, a powerful civic group within the liberal camp, also demanded the withdrawal of both candidates—a move seen as a decisive factor in Lee’s hesitation.

A ruling party insider noted, “The president’s aides are likely trying to persuade him subtly, but changing his mind is difficult. Chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik’s recent comment that ‘the president sets very high standards’ was less praise than a reflection of his stubbornness in personnel matters.”

On July 16, Rep. Kim Young-jin, a key figure in Lee’s faction, publicly voiced concern, saying on MBC radio, “There are many shortcomings in these nominations. The president must seriously consider the public’s expectations.”

Some within the ruling bloc believe the final decision will likely come on Friday, July 18. Announcements of politically negative decisions have often been made on Fridays in the past, when media and public attention tend to wane. To minimize fallout, there is speculation that only one of the two nominees may be dropped rather than both stepping down together.

A former Blue House official commented, “Ultimately, this will come down to the president’s decision and the signal from the presidential office. While media coverage and public opinion polls matter, resistance from groups like Minbohyeop and Participatory Solidarity appears to be the determining factor.”