Police Dismiss People Power Party's Complaint Against President Lee Jae-myung Over Allegations of Pressuring Prosecution to Drop West Sea Shooting Appeal

It has been confirmed that the police recently decided not to forward a complaint filed by the People Power Party accusing President Lee Jae-myung of pressuring the prosecution to drop its appeal following the first-instance ruling on the West Sea public official shooting incident.

The Seoul Jongno Police Station announced today (the 22nd) that it has dismissed the complaint filed against President Lee, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, and lawmaker Jung Sung-ho on charges of abuse of authority under the obstruction of rights.

A dismissal is a procedural measure that ends a case without examining its substance when the complaint fails to meet formal requirements.

The police explained they determined that remarks made by President Lee, as the person in charge of state affairs regarding pending national issues, could not be seen as an order directing the prosecution to drop the appeal.

During a Cabinet meeting on January 30, President Lee remarked regarding the West Sea public official shooting incident, "They indicted him on strange logic, which ultimately resulted in an acquittal," adding, "Does it make sense to investigate a nonexistent case and attempt to send people to prison?"

At the time, then-Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also stated on the same day, "It is only natural for the prosecution to drop the appeal."

Subsequently, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office appealed regarding former Cheong Wa Dae National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, but did not appeal the first-instance ruling that acquitted former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won and former Defense Minister Suh Wook, among others.

In response, the People Power Party filed a complaint, claiming that "the president, the prime minister, and the minister of justice exerted pressure on the prosecution through remarks intended to coerce the dropping of the appeal."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.