Lee warns against 'irresponsible extremism' jeopardizing reforms

President Lee Jae Myung cautioned against irresponsible extremism that threatens progress in the country's reformation efforts. In a statement on the social media platform X, he responded to a user who demanded an apology for calling his critics irresponsible extremists. The president acknowledged the sincerity of those who advocate for prosecution reform, but also pointed out that there are individuals who deliberately obstruct reform by demanding clarity or making excessive, inflammatory demands to serve their own political and personal agendas.

Lee emphasized that demanding all-or-nothing approaches to reform, while attacking those genuinely seeking change, constitutes irresponsible extremism. He further explained that such extremism involves inciting fears of failure to capitalize on the public's urgent desire for reform. The president's message appears to be directed at hardliners within his ruling Democratic Party who have accused him of abandoning the long-standing agenda of prosecution reform.

Earlier, Lee had called for prosecutors to retain the right to conduct supplementary investigations in exceptional cases. However, the reform bill enacted by the ruling party recently took effect, completely removing the prosecution's investigative powers, leaving them with only the authority to indict and maintain indictments.