President Lee Urges National Assembly to Remove Clause on Dropping Charges from Special Counsel Bill

Addressing controversy surrounding the potential withdrawal of charges against him, President Lee Jae-myung on Friday (September 18) called on the National Assembly to remove a clause granting the power to drop indictments from a special counsel bill pending in parliament.

Speaking at a press conference with the public that day, President Lee said, "I explicitly ask the National Assembly here today to delete the provisions regarding the transfer and disposition of existing indicted cases from the scope of authority of the special counsel on fabricated indictments, which is currently causing controversy, and to focus solely on uncovering the truth."

President Lee emphasized, "I find it regrettable that unnecessary disputes have arisen over whether to allow the withdrawal of charges in existing cases, distorting the core issue," adding, "I ask you to take measures so that needless controversy over dropping indictments does not occur."

However, he made his view clear that a fact-finding investigation into whether indictments were fabricated is necessary, and that it is desirable for it to be conducted by an independent counsel.

President Lee stated, "While I know the truth myself, an objective process of verification will still be necessary," adding, "I am not the only one who suffered harm from unreasonable investigations and indictments carried out for political purposes under the previous administration.

There are journalists and media outlets, public servants, politicians, and ordinary citizens."

He continued, "It is right to uncover the truth through a special counsel regarding these malicious investigations and cases suspected of fabrication," explaining, "If investigative and prosecutorial agencies under my command take charge of that task, it will only lead to further misunderstandings."

He went on to stress, "For such cases involving allegations of fabricated indictments, the National Assembly must promptly uncover the truth in a fair and transparent manner through a special counsel."

He also added, "All matters should be handled in accordance with natural reason, the law, and principles," noting, "It is undesirable for political skirmishes to drag on over specific phrasing and for misunderstandings about me or the government to spread needlessly."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.