Seoul: Rep. Kim Seung-won of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) was named Sunday as the nominee for new justice minister. The two-term lawmaker, 57, is recognized for his firm stance on prosecutorial reform and was instrumental in the passing of a significant reform bill.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's legal career began after passing the national bar exam in 1996, leading to roles as a judge at both the Jeonju District Court and the Suwon District Court. His career trajectory took him to the presidential office during the Moon Jae-in administration, where he worked in political affairs.

Since being elected to the 21st National Assembly in 2020, Kim has been a prominent figure in the DP's prosecutorial reform initiatives, serving as the party's legal affairs committee chief. As the DP's floor spokesperson on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he was pivotal in the passing of a recent revision to the Criminal Procedure Act. This legislation redefined the dynamics of prosecutorial power by separating the prosecution's investigative and indictment capabilities.

The revision, enacted late last month, also removed prosecutors' authority to direct and conduct supplementary investigations, assigning these responsibilities exclusively to the police. With his nomination as justice minister, Kim is expected to lead the charge in firmly establishing the new criminal justice system.