Jeong Cheongrae: "Prosecution Reform Discussed 'Almost at Direct Dialogue Level' with Blue House... President Lee’s Process Management Comment Should Be Seen as Government Critique"

Blue House Directly Decided on Deleting Article 45

"Coordinated Through Direct Dialogue, Not Secondhand Reports"

Refutes Interpretation of President's Remarks as Criticism

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on March 18 that the decision to remove Article 45 (Relationship with Prosecutors), which became a point of contention during discussions on the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act, was led by the presidential office. Regarding the coordination process for the prosecution reform bills between the party, administration, and presidential office, he explained that the discussions took place "at an almost direct dialogue level."

On the same day, Jeong detailed the party-administration-presidential office coordination process for prosecution reform on the YouTube channel "News Factory," operated by Kim Eo-jun. He stated, "Through the Government Organization Act, the party pointed out areas related to prosecution reform that were insufficient, lacking, or in need of revision or amendment, and I understand that the presidential office thoroughly reviewed everything, underlining key points." He added, "As for Article 45, which defined the relationship between the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and prosecutors, we tried to amend it as much as possible, but the presidential office suggested it would be better to remove it entirely."

When asked by the host whether this was President Lee Jaemyung's intention, Jeong replied, "I can only presume so," and continued, "There was public desire, and there have been the misdeeds and harm caused by the prosecution so far. In the end, I believe the period to this matter was thanks to the president's determination and will for prosecution reform."

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing the direction of the legislative process for the Central Investigative Agency Act and the Public Prosecution Service Act, prosecution reform bills, at a press conference held at the National Assembly on March 17, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jeong explained that in the communication process among the party, administration, and presidential office this time, he did not rely on hearsay. He said, "We elevated the process to a level of almost direct dialogue, so there was no unnecessary misunderstanding. The discussions took a straightforward approach, dealing with each matter as it was, without various interpretations."

Jeong also refuted interpretations from some quarters that President Lee criticized the process of discussions with the party during the party-administration-presidential office coordination. Previously, during a cabinet meeting the day before, President Lee had commented, "It seems the process management could have been better," referring to the prosecution reform coordination. Regarding this, Jeong clarified, "As far as I know, the government formed a task force and intended to communicate sufficiently with the party. I believe the criticism is about why this was not done properly." Jeong further stated, "Even when the government brought the first draft of the prosecution reform bill for notice, they reported it to me the day before."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.