Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the importance of public participation and thorough consideration as the ruling Democratic Party (DP) advocates for a special investigation into claims that he faced multiple indictments based on fabricated evidence during the previous administration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong Ihk-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, conveyed these sentiments during a press briefing. This follows the DP's proposal of a bill last week that aims to initiate a special counsel investigation. The bill seeks an independent examination into allegations that the prosecution under former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration wrongly indicted Lee, who was then leading the main opposition party, on various charges, including a real estate development scandal, using falsified evidence.
The legal proceedings against Lee were paused or postponed after he assumed office in June last year. The proposed legislation would empower a special counsel to assume control of Lee's cases from the prosecution, with the discretion to continue or dismiss them. Moreover, it grants the president the power to appoint the special counsel from a shortlist of three candidates.
Opponents of the bill argue that it could enable the special counsel to dismiss the charges against Lee, essentially suggesting it as a strategy to exonerate him.
On Monday, Hong relayed Lee's call for "the DP, as the ruling party, to determine the specific timing and procedures (for the bill) through public input and careful deliberation." The presidential secretary described the proposed special counsel investigation as "essential," citing a parliamentary inspection that reportedly uncovered "illegal acts and unjust investigations" conducted under Yoon's leadership.
Hong further asserted that there is growing public awareness and support for the necessity of a special counsel probe to resolve these issues. His comments are widely interpreted as indicative of Lee's backing for the bill, while emphasizing the need for meticulous management of its timing and implementation.