Cheong Wa Dae Calls Writer Rhyu Si-min's "Deceived the Public" Remark a Distortion, Expresses Regret

"Cheong Wa Dae is reportedly considering legal action against writer Rhyu Si-min," a media outlet reported this afternoon on September 24.

Earlier, writer Rhyu appeared on a YouTube broadcast and took issue with remarks made by President Lee Jae-myung during a recent press conference.

[Presidential Press Conference (September 18): "Originally, the maximum goal of prosecution reform was this: 'Let's separate prosecutors who handle investigations from those who handle indictments—that is, prosecutions—so that prosecutors who investigate cannot also serve as prosecutors who indict,' and 'Let's separate this by creating an agency in charge of investigations and an agency in charge of prosecutions within the Ministry of Justice.' That was it."] 

Rhyu claimed that the prosecution reform envisioned by the president was completely different from what "we had envisioned, the stance of the Democratic Party, and what had been stated as the president's campaign pledges."

[Writer Rhyu Si-min (September 22, Media Today YouTube Channel): "The president should have said this much earlier. The president has deceived the public until now. I was shocked when I heard the president say that at the press conference."] 

Regarding the report, Cheong Wa Dae issued a statement saying that no decision has yet been made on whether to take legal action against Rhyu.

At the same time, it expressed regret over the distortion of the president's commitment to prosecution reform, stating that it was contrary to fact.

It added that it is currently verifying the facts regarding the continued baseless critical claims.

Cheong Wa Dae reportedly finds it unacceptable that Rhyu criticized President Lee as if he had opposed current prosecution reform all along by claiming the president "deceived the public."

As critical remarks against the president continue, Cheong Wa Dae is also said to be concerned that even if it does not take immediate legal action, failing to state its position could lead to President Lee's intentions being distorted.

Earlier in July, writer Rhyu appeared on the YouTube channel Maebul Show and said, "The reason reform has not been achieved for over a year is that the president does not want the complete separation of investigation and indictment."

In addition, Rhyu has been at odds with President Lee, raising arguments such as the "reconstruction theory" and "inevitable defeat theory" regarding President Lee's policy direction.

(Written by Jeong Yu-mi | Video by Jeong Yonghee | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News)

※