Politics · South Korea · 7 hrs ago
South Korea opposition attacks justice minister nominee over special counsel bill
People Power Party leaders criticized justice minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol at a rally in Seoul on November 10.
They said his past work with President Lee Jae-myung’s team in Seongnam showed he could favor the president.
The dispute centers on a special counsel law passed on November 6 to investigate alleged fabricated investigations and indictments.
The law allows up to 20 prosecutors assigned to the special counsel to conduct direct investigations, even though a recent legal change ended prosecutors’ direct investigative powers.
The opposition says the special counsel could cancel indictments against the president, but Lee Yong-cheol said the focus should be on finding the facts and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
President Lee did not put the bill on the cabinet agenda on November 10, and the opposition urged him to veto it.
South Korea’s opposition People Power Party accused Justice Minister nominee Lee Yong-cheol of being part of a circle linked to President Lee Jae-myung and said he could help cancel charges against the president.
The criticism focused on a special counsel bill passed on November 6 that allows up to 20 prosecutors assigned to the special counsel to conduct direct investigations.
Nominee Lee said the focus should be on establishing the facts and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
People Power Party leaders urged President Lee to veto the bill at a party meeting in Seoul on November 10.
The government did not put the bill on the agenda of a cabinet meeting chaired by the president that day.
- Who
- People Power Party leaders, including floor leader Jeom-sik Jeong, criticized Justice Minister nominee Yong-cheol Lee.
- What
- The opposition accused Lee of being linked to a circle around President Lee Jae-myung and raised concerns that the special counsel could lead to charges being cancelled.
- When
- November 10, 2026. The special counsel bill passed on November 6.
- Where
- At a People Power Party meeting outside Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
- Why
- The opposition said the nominee’s links to people associated with the president and his remarks about the case raised concerns about the bill and possible cancellation of charges.
People Power Party
Justice Minister nominee Yong-cheol Lee
Links to president
People Power Party
Jeom-sik Jeong said Lee was part of a “Seongnam cartel” and accused the group of taking over the government.
Justice Minister nominee Yong-cheol Lee
Lee’s position on his past work with people associated with President Lee is not stated.
Possible cancellation of charges
People Power Party
Jeong called the special counsel bill part of a “get-out-of-prison project” for the president and said the process could lead to charges being cancelled.
Justice Minister nominee Yong-cheol Lee
Lee said the focus should be on establishing the facts and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
The special counsel bill on investigating alleged fabricated investigations and indictments passed.
Lee said the focus should be on establishing the facts and that other matters should be handled according to law and principle.
People Power Party leaders held a meeting outside Cheong Wa Dae and called on the president to veto the bill.
The government did not put the bill on the agenda of the cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee.
- Nominee
- Yong-cheol Lee
- Opposition floor leader
- Jeom-sik Jeong
- Bill passed
- November 6
- Maximum prosecutors allowed to conduct direct investigations
- 20
- People Power Party meeting
- Outside Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul, November 10
- Background role cited by opposition
- Lee served on the 2010 Seongnam mayoral transition committee and led the Seongnam Industry Promotion Foundation from 2011 to 2025
1 source
What people are saying
The Seongnam cartel has taken over the administration of the Republic of Korea.
The president has entrusted the task of cancelling charges to his 20-year friend Yong-cheol Lee from the Seongnam cartel.
I think it is right to focus solely on establishing the facts.
This special counsel bill is the completion of Lee Jae-myung’s get-out-of-prison project, a law to get Lee Jae-myung out when he should be in prison.