Lee calls pro-democracy camp 'comrades' as he tackles prosecution controversy head-on

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called on the National Assembly to remove from a pending special prosecutor bill any provisions governing the transfer or disposition of cases already under indictment — a direct attempt to defuse the controversy over dropping existing charges against him.

Lee made the request at a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, framing it as a plea to the Assembly. The move signaled his intent to confront head-on the opposition's criticism that the charge-dropping issue had become an unnecessary political flashpoint obscuring the substance of the legislation.

However, Lee said an investigation into whether prosecutions had been fabricated was still necessary, and that such an inquiry should be conducted by a special prosecutor.

"I have my own understanding of the truth, but an objective process of verification will also be needed," he said. "I am not the only one who suffered harm from the previous government's aggressive investigations and indictments driven by political motives. There were journalists, media organizations, civil servants, politicians and private citizens."

He then said cases suspected of involving malicious or fabricated prosecution "should have the truth uncovered through a special prosecutor," adding that having investigative and prosecutorial agencies under his command handle the matter "would only invite further misunderstanding."

"For cases involving allegations of fabricated indictments, it is necessary for the National Assembly to swiftly and transparently establish the facts through a special prosecutor," he said.

On Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae's remarks about judicial independence — made amid a standoff over the re-nomination of Supreme Court justice candidates — Lee said obliquely that "we should think about why independence is granted to state institutions in the first place."

Cheong Wa Dae has favored re-nominating the previously recommended candidates, but within the court there are signs of deliberation over forming a new Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee under the Court Organization Act and restarting the nomination process from scratch.

Chief Justice Jo said Thursday that "cooperation among the judiciary, the legislature and the administration must take place while guaranteeing judicial independence."

Lee also appealed for unity across the broader pro-government camp. "We are told that reform is harder than revolution," he said. "All of us who act for a better world are supporters of former Presidents Roh and Kim Dae-jung — and comrades of Lee Jae Myung."

He said the public had held the same hopes and expectations of him whether he was serving as Seongnam mayor, Gyeonggi Province governor, Democratic Party leader or president — a wish for "a fair country where even the powerless are not wronged and no authority lords over the people, a world of shared prosperity where everyone lives well with mutual respect."

"Throughout my time in politics, my workplace has changed, but I have never for a single moment abandoned the goals and values of reform," he said. "Whether it was when I resolved to enter politics in the basement prayer room of a neighborhood church in front of Seongnam City Hall, or right now as I steer the great ship that is the Republic of Korea toward a better future with the people — the world Lee Jae Myung dreams of has not changed."

He added that if there was one difference now, it was that he was "no longer simply advocating for what I believe is right, but serving as the highest authority in state affairs, who must produce real results in a harsh reality using the mandate granted by the people."

Lee also spoke candidly about the difficulty of reform. "Reform is said to be harder than revolution," he said. "The organized resistance of those with vested interests against change aimed at building a more rational and fair society is as hard as concrete."

"But the support of those whose lives would improve through change is often scattered like grains of sand," he continued. "The authority given to elected officials is the force that allows us to overcome resistance, and it is my capacity and responsibility as president to turn those grains of sand into concrete, overcome opposition and build a new order." He added that he believed "being evaluated at the end by the results that have improved people's lives is the way to repay the public," and that his principle of being "a president for everyone" stemmed from that conviction.

Lee went on to say that "even people looking in the same direction can differ on which path is faster or safer," and made a renewed appeal: "Please do not let slightly different routes and methods lead you to doubt the sincerity of those who have shared the same vision and walked together."

"It is heartbreaking to see people who gave everything — even risking their lives — to overcome the insurrection and wholeheartedly worked for the success of a government of popular sovereignty now exchanging words of hatred," he said. "It pains me to see someone who dreamed of and worked toward a better world singled out for exclusion and left hurt."

He doubled down on his call for solidarity, saying: "All of us who dream of democracy, progress and reform, and who act for a better world, are supporters of former Presidents Roh and Kim Dae-jung — comrades of Lee Jae Myung."

On the divisions within the broader pro-government bloc, Lee said that while many factors had contributed to "this heartbreaking reality," the greatest responsibility lay with him as both the top leader of the state and the Democratic Party's foremost member. "Even if you feel resentment and want to blame someone, please blame my shortcomings and those of my government," he said.

"I will listen more, communicate more and reach out first," he added. "I will make every effort, with bone-cutting resolve, to ensure that small differences become a force for finding better answers rather than a reason to push each other away."