Kim Seung-won's exit follows the withdrawal ​of Yong Hye-in as nominee for ​gender-equality minister on Sunday, in the latest ⁠fallout from Lee's cabinet reshuffle in late August.

Kim, ​who said he did not want to add ​any burden to Lee's administration, criticised a conservative lawmaker who had accused him of lobbying regulators over a ​drug trial and of financial irregularities. Kim ​has denied the allegations.

"I gravely accept that I did ‌not ⁠meet the public's expectations, and I will deeply reflect on my shortcomings," Kim told a press conference, Reuters reported.

A Gallup Korea poll released on Friday ​put Lee's ​public approval ⁠at 37%, the lowest since he took office in June 2025, ​a decline pollsters have partly linked ​to ⁠criticism over his personnel appointments.

At a press conference on Friday, Lee acknowledged shortcomings in his ⁠administration's ​screening of nominees. "We are currently ​working to reexamine our personnel system," the president said.