The ruling party's burden grows over its follow-up response to the allegations surrounding Kim Seung-won

After Kim Seungwon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, stepped down as a nominee for Minister of Justice, controversy continues over a petition submitted by his former aides containing allegations of sexual harassment and various additional allegations. According to reports, former aide A reportedly submitted a petition to the Blue House on the 17th containing allegations of accounting irregularities in Gyeonggi Provincial Party branch operations, sexual harassment, drunk driving, and verbal abuse toward aides by Rep. Kim. Following the allegations of lobbying for approval of a new drug raised during the confirmation hearing, the controversy has continued to spread even after his resignation. The ruling party leadership is said not to have fully grasped the specific facts of the matter, and voices within and outside the party are calling for the party to verify the facts as well as for Kim himself to provide an explanation. Some have also raised the question of whether the leader of the ruling party bears responsibility for an apology, but the leadership appears reluctant to make any additional statements.