Reactions to President Lee Jae-myung's press conference on September 18 were sharply divided along party lines. The ruling Democratic Party praised the event as a potential turning point for restoring public trust, while the opposition People Power Party criticized it for lacking any reflection on government failures or a commitment to change. Additionally, President Lee's request to remove the right to cancel indictments from the so-called 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Indictments' is expected to lead to further conflict between the parties.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok expressed his agreement with the president's sentiments during a press briefing after the conference, stating, "I felt the same thoughts and emotions as President Lee throughout the press conference," and emphasized the party's commitment to listening more humbly and focusing on people's livelihoods. Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, also reiterated on Facebook that the president's firm commitment to recovery, reform, and unity would mark a turning point in restoring public trust.
In contrast, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference where he criticized the president's remarks as a declaration of, "I will go my own way, regardless of what the people say, in alliance with the leftists," suggesting that the press conference aimed to regain support from core constituents amid declining approval ratings.
Jeong Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, described the press conference as a "hollow rhetoric" that merely repeated the intention to maintain the current government policy without any acknowledgment of policies that exploit the public's assets. He directed pointed criticisms at the president, labeling him as an 'irresponsible president,' 'very bad president,' and 'truly cowardly president.'
Political analysts suggest that the press conference has heightened the likelihood of further tensions between the ruling and opposition parties. President Lee's request to focus the special prosecutor's authority on investigating the truth behind manipulated indictments, rather than on the transfer and disposition of existing indictment cases, has raised concerns.
While the ruling party is prepared to process the special prosecutor bill now that the controversy over the right to cancel indictments has been resolved, the People Power Party remains skeptical, suspecting that President Lee will attempt to cancel indictments by any means necessary. Jeong noted, "The president never said he would face trial," implying that the president's intention is to overturn his five ongoing trials with a 'puppet' special prosecutor he appoints.
This divergence in perspectives is linked to recent clashes during the confirmation process for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice. The Democratic Party pushed through the adoption of the confirmation report without consulting the People Power Party, which has retaliated by delaying discussions on the confirmation reports for some ministerial nominees.
The People Power Party accuses President Lee of intending to use Kim as the 'action leader' for canceling indictments once he is appointed as Minister of Justice. They argue that if the appointment goes through, it will demonstrate a disconnect between the president's words and actions.
In response, Han urged the People Power Party to cease unnecessary political strife and irresponsible obstruction of governance, stating, "Since the president has firmly established his position with the request to remove the right to cancel indictments, the People Power Party should stop its futile political battles." Jeong countered that the Democratic Party's perspective itself is problematic, asserting that they are open to dialogue and cooperation on issues concerning the people's livelihoods, rather than on matters of presidential accountability.
The 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Indictments,' aimed at investigating allegations of manipulated investigations and indictments during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, was first proposed by Democratic Party's Deputy Floor Leader Cheon Jun-ho in April. The Democratic Party aims to clarify the facts surrounding these allegations and identify those responsible. Conversely, the People Power Party opposes the bill, claiming it is a strategy by the Democratic Party to eliminate the five ongoing trials against President Lee.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok expressed his agreement with the president's sentiments during a press briefing after the conference, stating, "I felt the same thoughts and emotions as President Lee throughout the press conference," and emphasized the party's commitment to listening more humbly and focusing on people's livelihoods. Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, also reiterated on Facebook that the president's firm commitment to recovery, reform, and unity would mark a turning point in restoring public trust.
In contrast, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference where he criticized the president's remarks as a declaration of, "I will go my own way, regardless of what the people say, in alliance with the leftists," suggesting that the press conference aimed to regain support from core constituents amid declining approval ratings.
Jeong Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, described the press conference as a "hollow rhetoric" that merely repeated the intention to maintain the current government policy without any acknowledgment of policies that exploit the public's assets. He directed pointed criticisms at the president, labeling him as an 'irresponsible president,' 'very bad president,' and 'truly cowardly president.'
Political analysts suggest that the press conference has heightened the likelihood of further tensions between the ruling and opposition parties. President Lee's request to focus the special prosecutor's authority on investigating the truth behind manipulated indictments, rather than on the transfer and disposition of existing indictment cases, has raised concerns.
While the ruling party is prepared to process the special prosecutor bill now that the controversy over the right to cancel indictments has been resolved, the People Power Party remains skeptical, suspecting that President Lee will attempt to cancel indictments by any means necessary. Jeong noted, "The president never said he would face trial," implying that the president's intention is to overturn his five ongoing trials with a 'puppet' special prosecutor he appoints.
This divergence in perspectives is linked to recent clashes during the confirmation process for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice. The Democratic Party pushed through the adoption of the confirmation report without consulting the People Power Party, which has retaliated by delaying discussions on the confirmation reports for some ministerial nominees.
The People Power Party accuses President Lee of intending to use Kim as the 'action leader' for canceling indictments once he is appointed as Minister of Justice. They argue that if the appointment goes through, it will demonstrate a disconnect between the president's words and actions.
In response, Han urged the People Power Party to cease unnecessary political strife and irresponsible obstruction of governance, stating, "Since the president has firmly established his position with the request to remove the right to cancel indictments, the People Power Party should stop its futile political battles." Jeong countered that the Democratic Party's perspective itself is problematic, asserting that they are open to dialogue and cooperation on issues concerning the people's livelihoods, rather than on matters of presidential accountability.
The 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Indictments,' aimed at investigating allegations of manipulated investigations and indictments during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, was first proposed by Democratic Party's Deputy Floor Leader Cheon Jun-ho in April. The Democratic Party aims to clarify the facts surrounding these allegations and identify those responsible. Conversely, the People Power Party opposes the bill, claiming it is a strategy by the Democratic Party to eliminate the five ongoing trials against President Lee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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