President Emphasizes 'Sufficient Discussion' Amid Prosecution Reform Disputes

President Lee Jae-myung, on the 17th, the same day the final agreement on prosecution reform by the party and government was announced, requested serious deliberation and discussion on the differing opinions within the ruling party concerning the prosecution reform plan during a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex in Sejong. President Lee stated, "The more interests clash, the more we need to discuss openly and engage in genuine deliberation." He pointed out that for difficult agendas, higher acceptance is achieved by providing ample opportunities for dialogue and discussing them thoroughly until the end, whereas problems arise if they are suppressed or restricted.

These remarks by the President were interpreted in the context of certain claims raised primarily by hardliners within the party regarding the prosecution reform plan, which had been finalized through party-government consultations and six general meetings of lawmakers.

On the same day, President Lee also criticized CEO Kim Byung-heon, who faces charges of insulting a comfort woman statue, and warned of the possibility of criminal punishment and recovery of loans for 'trick loans' that use business funds to purchase real estate.