[Anchor]
Cheong Wa Dae has expressed regret for the first time toward author Rhyu Si-min, who criticized President Lee Jae-myung's remarks on prosecution reform, accusing him of deceiving the public. Regarding some reports that legal action is being considered, Cheong Wa Dae stated that nothing has been decided yet.
Kim Kwan-jin reports.
[Reporter]
At a press conference on September 18, President Lee Jae-myung explained the primary goal of the prosecution reform that had originally been discussed:
[President Lee Jae-myung (Press conference on September 18) : "Let us separate the prosecutors in charge of investigation from the prosecutors in charge of indictment, namely prosecution, and divide them into an investigative agency and a prosecutorial agency within the Ministry of Justice."]
President Lee also appealed, "Please cast aside any suspicion that I am siding with the prosecution or that the reform is retreating."
However, four days later on September 22, author Rhyu Si-min appeared on a YouTube broadcast and criticized President Lee, claiming that he had an initiative different from the Democratic Party's pledge on prosecution reform.
[Author Rhyu Si-min (Media Today YouTube, September 22) : "They used the term 'prosecution reform' together, but the substance was different. Then the president should have said this long ago. Up until now, he has deceived the public."]
In response, Cheong Wa Dae issued an official statement yesterday (September 24), saying, "We express regret over distorting the president's determination for prosecution reform contrary to the facts."
While author Rhyu has criticized President Lee several times in the past, this marks the first time Cheong Wa Dae has expressed "regret."
Amid some reports that legal action against author Rhyu is being considered, Cheong Wa Dae stated, "Whether to take legal action has not been decided."
However, it left the door open, adding, "We are verifying the facts regarding the continued baseless accusatory claims."
President Lee had also appealed for unity across the pan-progressive bloc at the press conference on September 18.
[President Lee Jae-myung (Press conference on September 18) : "We are all pro-Moon, pro-Roh, pro-Kim Dae-jung, and comrades of Lee Jae-myung."]
If Cheong Wa Dae actually pursues legal action, conflicts within the pan-ruling camp could intensify further, despite President Lee's appeal.
(Camera: Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing: Kim Jin-won | Graphics: Seo Hyeon-jung | Video Source: Media Today YouTube)
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