Politics · South Korea · 8 hrs ago
South Korea minister nominee leaves open whether president's charges could be dropped
South Korean justice minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol left open whether President Lee Jae-myung's charges could be withdrawn.
On Nov.
9, he said an upcoming special prosecutor should focus on finding the facts in allegations that the president's prosecution was fabricated.
He said any other decisions should follow the law and established principles, but did not rule out withdrawing the charges.
The nominee was responding to questions about how he would handle the issue if confirmed as justice minister.
The special prosecutor's investigation is expected to examine the allegations, and Lee said its findings should be awaited.
Opposition party lawmakers accused him of leaving a path open to cancel the president's prosecution, while Lee said his friendship with the president does not disqualify him.
The dispute has also led opposition lawmakers on the parliamentary justice committee to say they will skip future meetings in protest against the special prosecutor law.
South Korea’s justice minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol declined to say whether charges against President Lee Jae-myung could be dropped.
He said the focus should be on establishing the truth and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
Lee said he would wait for the findings of a special counsel investigation into alleged fabricated indictments.
The opposition People Power Party accused him of leaving the way open to dropping the president’s charges.
Lee rejected criticism that his long-standing personal ties to the president made him unsuitable for the post.
- Who
- Lee Yong-cheol, South Korea’s justice minister nominee, and the People Power Party.
- What
- Lee did not clearly rule out dropping charges against President Lee Jae-myung. The People Power Party criticized his response.
- When
- November 9, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea. The sources do not state a more specific location.
- Why
- Lee said the focus should be on establishing the truth and that other matters should follow law and principle. The sources do not state a final decision on whether charges could be dropped.
Lee Yong-cheol
People Power Party
Position on dropping charges
Lee Yong-cheol
Lee said the focus should be on establishing the truth and other matters should be handled according to law and principle; he did not give a clear position on dropping charges.
People Power Party
The party said Lee was leaving open a path to dropping the president’s charges.
Response to Lee’s remarks
Lee Yong-cheol
Lee said he would wait for the special counsel’s findings.
People Power Party
The party described him as willing to act as an instrument for dropping the president’s charges.
South Korea’s parliament enacted a special counsel law focused on establishing the truth about alleged fabricated indictments, according to Lee.
Lee said the focus should be on establishing the truth and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
- Nominee
- Lee Yong-cheol
- Position
- South Korea justice minister nominee
- President whose charges were discussed
- Lee Jae-myung
- Statement date
- November 9, 2026
- Special counsel investigation
- To investigate alleged fabricated indictments
5 sources
What people are saying
I think it is right to focus solely on establishing the truth
It is desirable to handle other matters in accordance with law and principle
He has effectively admitted that he will act as the president’s instrument for dropping the charges