"Do Not Fight Like Enemies"... Differences Remain Over Supplementary Investigation Rights

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung also addressed rumors of conflict within the ruling party. He stated, "We should not be at war rather than competing," and added, "We must not fight like enemies." Regarding the issue of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, which Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae has vowed to abolish entirely, the President noted that it is being used as a political slogan, leading to interpretations that he was indirectly criticizing leader Jung.

Reported by Kang Min-u.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung said during a briefing on his overseas trip today (June 19), "State affairs have not changed, but since the election, approval ratings have plummeted," adding, "I will take the public's assessment seriously."

He identified the following as the primary cause for the decline in approval ratings.

[President Lee Jae-myung: That is likely the biggest reason. 'People are saying, "We are struggling to make a living, so what are you fighting about?"']

Regarding the rumors of conflict between the party and the presidential office—which spread after Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae did not attend the farewell ceremony for the President's European tour on the 9th—President Lee first emphasized the principle that the party and the government can offer necessary 'bitter advice' to each other.

[President Lee Jae-myung: While it may look like there is a massive conflict to you all, I think it is a process to become better.]

He then added the following.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Do not fight like enemies. Should we be at war instead of competing (within the same camp)?]

On the issue of the prosecution's 'supplementary investigation rights,' he stated that while it is a matter for the National Assembly to decide, 'methods of oppression should not be used,' implying that blocking even exceptional cases could lead to problems later.

[President Lee Jae-myung: You shouldn't give up on making soy sauce just because you are afraid of maggots; if there is a possibility of maggots, you can just find them and block them. If you absolutely cannot block them, it is not too late to give up on making the sauce then.]

He also mentioned that there is an aspect of this issue being used as a political slogan, which led to interpretations that he was indirectly criticizing the situation where Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae reaffirmed his vow for 'total abolition' this morning.

Lawmakers from the pro-Lee faction within the Democratic Party interpreted his remarks as, "Leader Jung's leadership is over," and "A consistent message that leader Jung is not the one."

On the other hand, some pro-Jung lawmakers responded that the President was expressing his wish for the party to stop the internal fighting, which has even involved the use of derogatory terms.

(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Yoon Hyung | Video editing: Lee Seung-hee | Design: Choi Ha-neul)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.