Justice minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol: “On withdrawing indictments, now is the time to focus on uncovering the truth ... will watch without preconceptions”

[Financial News] Lee Yong-cheol, nominee for minister of justice, reaffirmed his position on withdrawing indictments in criminal cases involving President Lee Jae-myung, saying, “Now is the time to focus on uncovering the truth.” He said he would watch the results of the special counsel’s investigation without any prejudgment or preconceptions.
The nominee made the remarks to reporters as he arrived for his first day at work at the office of the confirmation hearing preparation team at the Seoul Immigration Office in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th.
Asked, “Do you intend to exercise your authority to direct investigations related to withdrawing indictments based on the findings of the investigation?”, he replied, “As I have already said, my position remains unchanged: now is the time to focus on uncovering the truth, and all other matters must be handled according to law and principle.”
He added, “It would not be appropriate to comment on controversies based on so much prejudgment and speculation when the fact-finding investigation has not yet begun,” emphasizing, “I am neither a member of the group advocating the withdrawal of indictments nor have I ever acted as counsel in a case under special counsel investigation.”
He went on to say, “I will watch the special counsel’s fact-finding activities going forward without any prejudgment or preconceptions.”
In response to the suggestion that exercising authority to direct investigations into the cases could constitute a conflict of interest given his close ties to President Lee, he replied, “As a nominee, it would not be appropriate for me to assess the special counsel law, which is a decision made by the legislature.”
He also commented on criticism of the launch of the Special Prosecutor for Fabricated Prosecution, saying, “Since the decision to appoint a special counsel rests with the legislature, it would not be appropriate for a nominee to assess it.” On the investigations into the Daejang-dong and Ssangbangwool cases, he held back from commenting, saying, “I have not been sufficiently briefed, and it would not be appropriate to assess them from my current position.”
In his opening remarks that day, the nominee identified the early establishment of a new criminal justice system as his top priority.
He said, “If I am given the opportunity to serve as minister, my top priority will be to establish the new criminal justice system. I will work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure that the transition does not create gaps in crime response or cause inconvenience to the public.”
He emphasized, “I will work with the incoming head of the Public Prosecution Office to expedite fair personnel appointments and staffing increases, and strive to stabilize the organization and boost staff morale. I will ensure that the Public Prosecution Office establishes itself as an institution that realizes judicial justice through the fair exercise of prosecutorial authority and protects human rights, including by protecting victims.”
He also cited preventing crimes involving personal relationships, overcrowding in correctional facilities, protecting the human rights of foreigners and establishing order in their stay, modernizing legal administration through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and addressing employee grievances arising from the Ministry of Justice’s relocation to a regional location as key priorities.
Asked about personal matters, including allegations of preferential treatment in personnel appointments while he worked at the Seongnam Industry Promotion Foundation, he said, “I will provide detailed answers during the confirmation hearing on matters beyond what I have already explained.”
 
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter