South Korea's Justice Minister Nominee Withdraws Amid Cabinet Turmoil

South Korea's justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won has withdrawn from the confirmation process, marking the second significant cabinet rejection for President Lee Jae-myung in recent weeks. The withdrawal compounds challenges facing the administration as it seeks to form a functioning cabinet. Lee's approval ratings have slumped in recent months, creating a difficult political environment for his government's agenda. The setback mirrors the earlier withdrawal of Yong Hye-in, who had been nominated to lead the gender-equality ministry. Both withdrawals underscore mounting resistance to the president's cabinet selections, signalling potential difficulties in advancing key policy initiatives. The repeated rejections suggest divisions within the ruling coalition and broader questions about the administration's political footing as it navigates governance challenges in the months ahead.