President Lee Jae-myung stated that a special investigation is necessary to clarify the allegations surrounding politically motivated prosecutions. He made these remarks during a press conference at the Blue House on September 18.
During the conference, President Lee addressed the recent controversy regarding the dismissal of charges related to cases involving him. He urged that the existing provisions concerning the transfer or disposition of cases under investigation by the special prosecutor be removed, emphasizing that the focus should solely be on uncovering the truth.
He expressed concern that unnecessary political disputes and misunderstandings about him and the government arise from certain expressions. "While I am aware of the facts, an objective process to prove them is still necessary," he said, reiterating the need for a special investigation.
President Lee noted, "I am not the only one who has suffered from politically motivated investigations and prosecutions from the previous administration. While I may have been the most affected, there are many journalists, media outlets, public officials, politicians, and unrelated civilians who have also been harmed. It is appropriate to clarify the truth regarding these malicious investigations and allegations of manipulation through a special investigation."
He added that if investigative agencies under his command were to handle these cases, it could lead to further misunderstandings. Therefore, he believes it is essential for the National Assembly to quickly establish a special investigation to transparently reveal the truth to the public.
However, President Lee acknowledged that there is ongoing debate about whether to dismiss existing charges during this process. He expressed disappointment that this issue has become a political topic, overshadowing the essence of the matter, stating, "It should be handled according to the law and principles based on the results of the investigation."
In response to questions about the appointment of Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Justice Minister, who has faced various controversies, President Lee remarked, "The more appointments I make, the more difficult it becomes. The criteria for appointments vary greatly." He expressed regret over the controversies that have arisen during the public vetting process.
President Lee stated, "I have not yet reached a final decision. I will carefully consider the various issues and criticisms raised during the vetting process, taking into account the media's capabilities and public expectations."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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