Cheong Wa Dae "Regrets Remarks by Rhyu Si-min"... Weighs Legal Action?

[Anchor]

Writer Rhyu Si-min recently criticized President Lee Jae-myung's vision for prosecution reform, claiming he "deceived the public." In response, Cheong Wa Dae has officially expressed regret. Amid reports that it is even considering legal action, Cheong Wa Dae stated that no decision has been made.

Reporter Kim Kwan-jin reports.

[Reporter]

At a press conference on September 18, President Lee Jae-myung explained the maximum goal of the prosecution reform that had originally been discussed as follows:

[President Lee Jae-myung (Press conference on September 18): "Let's separate prosecutors who handle investigations from those who handle indictments—that is, prosecutions—and create an agency in charge of investigations and an agency in charge of prosecutions within the Ministry of Justice."]

President Lee also urged the public to "dispel suspicions that I am siding with the prosecution or that reform is regressing."

However, four days later, on September 22, writer Rhyu Si-min appeared on a YouTube broadcast and criticized President Lee, claiming he had envisioned something different from the Democratic Party's prosecution reform pledges.

[Writer Rhyu Si-min (Media Today YouTube, September 22): "We used the same phrase 'prosecution reform,' but the content was different. If so, the president should have said this much earlier. He has deceived the public until now."]

In response, Cheong Wa Dae issued an official statement today (September 24), saying, "We express regret over distorting the president's commitment to prosecution reform in a manner contrary to fact."

While writer Rhyu has criticized President Lee several times in the past, this marks the first time Cheong Wa Dae has expressed "regret."

Regarding some reports that Cheong Wa Dae is considering legal action against Rhyu, the presidential office stated, "No decision has been made on whether to take legal action."

However, it left open the possibility, stating that it is "verifying the facts regarding continued baseless critical claims."

President Lee had also appealed for unity within the pan-progressive camp during the September 18 press conference.

[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 does proceed with legal action, conflict within the broader ruling camp could intensify despite President Lee's appeal.

(Video by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Kim Jin-won | Graphics by Seo Hyun-joong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.