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Democratic Party Moves to Probe Prosecution as President Lee Urges Surgical Reform

The ruling bloc plans a National Assembly inquiry into seven cases, signaling a bid to seek withdrawals of indictments.

Overview

  • Party leaders said a special committee will hold a policy forum on prosecutorial abuse Monday and formally request a parliamentary investigation Wednesday.
  • The planned inquiry covers seven cases, including three naming President Lee Jae Myung, whose trials are suspended with prosecutors still legally able to withdraw indictments before first rulings.
  • Democratic Party chair Jung Chung-rae accused prosecutors of fabricating evidence under the previous administration and pledged to pursue a special counsel and push for dropped charges.
  • President Lee called for precise, targeted changes and warned against “burning down the house to get rid of bedbugs,” a message viewed as cautioning hard-line lawmakers pressing sweeping curbs on prosecutors.
  • Legal scholars and former prosecutors cautioned that political pressure to retract specific indictments risks eroding separation of powers, as a previously passed overhaul splitting prosecutorial functions is set to take effect in September.