Acting Prosecutor General Says Review Needed on Fact-Finding Results Regarding Withdrawal of Indictment Against President Lee

Lee Jung-hyun, the newly appointed Deputy Prosecutor General at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office who has taken the helm of the prosecution service amid a vacancy in the prosecutor general post, has left open the possibility regarding the withdrawal of the indictment against President Lee Jae-myung, stating that the results of the fact-finding investigation must be reviewed.

Arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office this morning (the 23rd), Acting Prosecutor General Lee met with reporters and answered a related question, saying, "A fact-finding investigation is currently underway by the fact-finding team, so we will need to look into its results."

Citing the minimization of a leadership vacuum ahead of the launch of the Prosecution Service scheduled for October 2 of next month, the Ministry of Justice appointed Lee as Deputy Prosecutor General yesterday (the 22nd).

When asked on his way to work about his previous remarks that the investigation into Ssangbangwool Group's illegal remittances to North Korea was flawed, Lee reaffirmed his existing stance, saying, "That is my basic philosophy regarding initiated investigations."

He added, "Every past prosecutor general and minister has emphasized restrained investigations and precise investigations that excise only the affected area. From that perspective, I suppose there may have been aspects that did not quite fit those standards. I was answering in principle."

Asked about his feelings on taking over as acting prosecutor general ahead of the launch of the Prosecution Service, Lee stated, "Taking on this heavy responsibility during a difficult time weighs heavily on both shoulders, but I will do my utmost to help the Prosecution Service swiftly settle in as an institution that upholds and protects human rights."

He also said, "In particular, I will make every effort to protect the socially vulnerable and crime victims."

Regarding the Ministry of Justice's push to reduce the quota of prosecutors in the Prosecution Service, Lee explained, "I will examine it gradually, but after understanding the workload within the jurisdiction of the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office and District Prosecutors' Office, prosecutor offices are struggling with 600 to 700 backlog cases each, so the actual working personnel are quite insufficient. I think we will need to discuss that matter thoroughly with the Ministry of Justice."

When asked how he plans to encourage staff members ahead of the launch of the Prosecution Service, Lee replied, "I believe that in difficult situations, standing together in unity and communicating are the most important things. I value communication above all else and will dedicate myself further to sharing information on any matter so that no minor misunderstandings arise."

Regarding working-level consultations with the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the police, he stated, "Since the command structure has changed to an equal and cooperative relationship, we should further strengthen preemptive cooperative relationships, including the conclusion of MOUs (memorandums of understanding). I believe that is a desirable relationship between state agencies."


On this day, Acting Prosecutor General Lee sent an email to all prosecution personnel to convey words of encouragement.

In the email, addressing members as "Prosecution family members who, amidst severe and difficult ordeals, constantly contemplate the universal and valid reason for the prosecution's existence and strive to carry out their duties flawlessly," Lee began by writing, "I write briefly with the feeling of standing on a 100-foot pole."

He continued, "We, who are quietly achieving hidden merits while grappling with piles of records from all over the country, are on the side of no one other than the citizens of the Republic of Korea, including crime victims and the socially vulnerable."

Lee pointed out, "We are the guardians of the rule of law and the bastion of human rights who adhere to due process, derive fair conclusions, and faithfully perform our inherent duties unshaken under any circumstances."

This is interpreted as a message to prevent a drop in morale among staff members and to comfort them as the existing prosecution service—which will lose all investigative functions including supplementary investigation rights—transitions into a system split between the Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency.

Lee emphasized, "If we unite and make an effort, our essence will never change," adding, "If we firmly uphold principles and basics, we will also gain the public's trust and firmly safeguard that trust."

He stated, "I will approach this with the resolve of taking one more step forward before a thousand-foot precipice."

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