The Democratic Party of Korea nominated Representative Kim Eui-kyeom as the ruling-party secretary of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee on September 1. Reports later said that the full committee meeting approved a motion to appoint Kim as the new ruling-party secretary.

Key Changes

This appointment is part of the process of selecting a successor to Representative Kim Seung-won, who was nominated as a candidate for minister of justice. The Democratic Party said it had nominated Kim Eui-kyeom as the ruling-party secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and Representative Choi Ki-sang as the ruling-party secretary of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee.

Choi Ki-sang is the successor to Representative Lee So-young, who was nominated as a candidate for minister of SMEs and Startups.

Current Status

The Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson said the required committee reassignment procedures would be carried out in line with the two appointments. Accordingly, the information confirmed so far consists of the Democratic Party’s nomination announcement and the approval of the appointment motion at the full Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting. Whether the reassignment procedures have been completed remains a separate point to verify.

Follow-up administrative and membership procedures remain after Kim Eui-kyeom’s appointment as secretary.

Impact

The People Power Party protested Kim Eui-kyeom’s appointment as ruling-party secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. According to a Newsis report, the party cited issues including the so-called ‘Cheongdam-dong drinking party allegation’ previously raised by Kim.

Reports said that Kim Eui-kyeom raised the allegation during the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit in October 2022, sparking controversy. This information is presented only as context for his history of raising the allegation and the political response; the allegation itself cannot be treated as established fact.

As of September 1, it has not been confirmed what specific effects the appointment will have on future agenda coordination or negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

Next Points to Check

Follow-up reports should verify the following:

  1. Whether the committee reassignment procedures required for the appointments of Kim Eui-kyeom and Choi Ki-sang have actually been completed
  2. Whether the full committee meeting’s approval has been reflected in the official meeting records
  3. Whether specific changes emerge in agenda coordination or negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties after Kim Eui-kyeom’s appointment

Source Verification

  • [News1: Ruling party nominates Kim Eui-kyeom as Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary and Choi Ki-sang as Climate and Labor Committee secretary](https://www.news1.kr/amp/politics/assembly/6276313) — Checked on September 1, 2026
  • [MoneyToday: Democratic Party appoints Kim Eui-kyeom as Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary and Choi Ki-sang as Climate and Labor Committee secretary](https://www.mt.co.kr/index.php/politics/2026/09/01/2026090114175133616) — Checked on September 1, 2026
  • [Edaily: Kim Eui-kyeom named ruling-party Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary; Choi Ki-sang named Climate and Labor Committee secretary](https://www3.edaily.co.kr/News/Read?mediaCodeNo=257&newsId=05172566645575856) — Checked on September 1, 2026
  • [Newsis: Motion to appoint new ruling-party Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary approved, drawing People Power Party protest](https://mobile.newsis.com/view/NISX20260901_0003772025) — Checked on September 1, 2026