Yoo Si-min Accuses President Lee Jae-myung of 'Deceiving the Public'... Presidential Office Counters, Saying It Is 'Verifying the Facts'

The Presidential Office said on the 24th, in response to author Yoo Si-min's criticism that President Lee Jae-myung had "deceived the public" with his remarks on prosecutorial reform (a restructuring plan to separate the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers), that it is "verifying the facts and no decision has been made on whether to take legal action." In its press guidance (PG) sent to reporters that afternoon, the Presidential Office expressed regret, saying Yoo's remarks "falsely distort the president's will to reform the prosecution."

Appearing on Media Today's YouTube channel 'Media Today Tomorrow Live' on the 22nd, Yoo criticized President Lee's remarks on prosecutorial reform, saying, "The president has deceived the public until now." Regarding the president's statement that dividing the investigation and prosecution bodies within the Ministry of Justice would be the maximum achievable reform, Yoo said he was "shocked" and that he had "never once heard such a thing."

When Media Today asked Presidential Office spokesperson Kim Sung-hwan via instant message, "Couldn't reviewing legal measures be criticized as a gag order that chills speech?" Kim replied, "It seems inappropriate to answer a question framed on the premise of legal action." On whether legal action was being considered, he declined to elaborate, saying, "I have nothing more to say on this. I ask for your understanding."