Cheong Wa Dae: Proving fabricated indictment comes before dropping charges; no plans for term-extension reform

Hong Ik-pyo, chief political secretary at Cheong Wa Dae, said Tuesday that establishing the truth behind what the presidential office calls a fabricated indictment must come before any move to drop charges against President Lee Jae Myung — pushing back against calls from some within the ruling camp. Hong also flatly dismissed speculation that Lee was pursuing constitutional reform to extend his term, and drew a line on reports that the government was reviewing a troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, saying no decision had been made.

Speaking on the YouTube program "Kim Eou-joon's Humility Is Hard News Factory," Hong said calls from some within the party to drop the charges were misplaced in their priorities. "President Lee Jae Myung's perspective, I believe, places greater emphasis on the fabricated nature of the indictment than on dropping the charges," he said. "Once it is clearly established that the indictment was fabricated, dropping the charges is something that can naturally be considered afterward."

He added that pushing for the charges to be dropped first was out of sequence. "Maintaining a wrongful indictment is itself wrong, but dropping the charges should happen naturally after the facts of the case are laid bare and the fabrication is clearly proven," Hong said. "Constantly putting the dropping of charges front and center plays into the framing of some People Power Party figures and conservative media."

Hong drew a firm line against speculation that the administration was pursuing constitutional reform to extend the president's term. "It is not possible under the current constitution, and President Lee has clearly stated he has not even considered such a thing — so it is regrettable that the controversy keeps growing," he said.

He added that Lee had raised the matter himself when he met with ruling and opposition party leaders. "President Lee said, 'I have no such intention whatsoever — what is the point of telling me not to do something I was never going to do?'" Hong said. "I expect the president will state his position more clearly when he has the opportunity to speak directly."

Hong also hinted that Lee may move to communicate directly with the public to reverse an approval rating decline that has persisted for more than two months. "We are weighing various options," he said. "We are examining from multiple angles what the most effective approach would be, regardless of the format."

Hong denied reports of a political realignment linked to the concept of a "structural majority" that came up during Lee's meeting with former President Moon Jae-in. "There is absolutely no consideration of a political realignment, and there is no need or reason for one," he said. "It does not mean abandoning our existing base. It means building a structural majority by adding people in the center or on the right to the foundation of our own camp."

On reports that the government was reviewing a troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz amid pressure from the United States, Hong expressed regret over what he called premature coverage and urged caution. "It is regrettable that the story leaked before sufficient internal deliberation and was reported as if a final decision had been made," he said. "Our government's position has not yet been finalized."

He added that further discussions would be needed after the president returns from his overseas trip. "The situation is not one that should cause the concern that some citizens, or supporters of the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae Myung administration, are expressing," Hong said.