Lee Draws a Line on Reelection and Prosecution Withdrawal... End of Controversy Depends on Ruling Party's Next Steps

"I have absolutely no intention to seek reelection"―clarifies his stance

Requests deletion of the provision on withdrawal of prosecution from special counsel bill; truth-finding mission to remain

Aims to ease distrust among moderates and resolve tensions within his base

President Lee Jae-myung explicitly denied any intention to seek reelection during a press conference on September 18, while requesting the National Assembly to delete the provision related to the withdrawal of prosecution from the special counsel bill on alleged fabricated charges. Attention is now focused on whether these moves will lead to a rebound in his approval ratings. By clearly stating his position on the reelection controversy and offering a solution of amending the bill regarding the withdrawal of prosecution, he has created an opportunity to reduce political uncertainty, both inside and outside the Blue House. However, there are still questions about whether the provision will actually be removed through legislation and whether the investigation by the special counsel and the handling of the president’s personal case will ultimately be separated.

President Lee Jae-myung is answering questions from reporters at a press conference held at the Blue House Reception Hall on the 18th. 2026.9.18 Yonhap News Agency.

At the press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House, his seventh since taking office, President Lee stated, "I have absolutely no intention to seek reelection." He also explained that demands for him to promise not to seek reelection were perceived as a political offensive designed to make it seem as though he had initially planned to do so but then gave up. While clarifying the background of his previous responses, he stated his position in a way that left no room for misinterpretation.

This is a step further than his previous explanations about the constitutional term limit. During his previous state visit to France, President Lee emphasized that his term is clearly limited by the Constitution. This time, he not only addressed whether reelection is institutionally possible but also gave a direct answer about his personal intentions. This move is seen as an effort to dispel suspicions that discussions about constitutional revision are aimed at extending the sitting president’s term.

As such, the back-and-forth over the possibility of reelection appears likely to lose its momentum, at least for now. With the president having publicly denied any intention to seek another term, his remarks will unavoidably serve as an important benchmark in future constitutional revision debates. However, the extent to which trust is restored will depend on whether the ruling party’s actions throughout the amendment process align with the president’s explanation and intentions.

On the issue of the withdrawal of prosecution, President Lee called for a more specific measure. He requested the National Assembly to delete the provision granting the special counsel authority to transfer and dispose of already-indicted cases, stating, "I hope the truth-finding mission will be the sole focus." This proposal aims to eliminate the legal grounds for the special counsel to receive and then withdraw prosecution in cases involving the president.

The key issue has been that the special counsel would not only investigate allegations of fabricated charges but could also decide whether to maintain or drop prosecution in already-indicted cases. In this scenario, the special counsel’s justification of uncovering procedural illegality could become entangled with the resolution of the president’s personal legal liability. President Lee’s request to remove the provision is thus interpreted as an attempt to separate these two issues.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to interpret the president's remarks as a categorical exclusion of any possibility of prosecution withdrawal for cases related to him. His request specifically targets the provision on the transfer and disposition of existing cases in the special counsel bill. He did not deny the need to get to the bottom of the fabricated indictment allegations. Therefore, debate continues over the scope of the special counsel’s authority and investigations and how these results may be applied to existing cases.

Attention now shifts to the Democratic Party's next steps. A Democratic Party official commented immediately after the press conference that "the party leadership must reach a decision first, after which it should be discussed by the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee before any follow-up actions can be taken." If the bill is rapidly amended, it could enhance the impact of the president’s remarks. However, if intra-party discussions are delayed or if there is a move to grant similar powers through other means, the controversy could resurface.

President Jaemyung Lee is greeting after finishing a press conference at the Blue House State Guest House on September 18, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, President Lee also used the press conference as an opportunity to attempt a shift in his governing approach, while addressing both major issues. He shared his feelings upon facing public disappointment and concern after the recent local elections, acknowledging his shortcomings by stating, "The people are always right." To his supporters, he appealed not to doubt the sincerity of those who stood with him simply because their methods have differed. His message aimed to reduce mistrust among moderates and also to resolve conflict within the ruling party.

While addressing the controversies over reelection and the withdrawal of prosecution could help relieve some pressure regarding his approval ratings, politicians inside and outside of government believe that merely clarifying these issues may not be enough to change the public's overall assessment of his administration. A ruling party official noted, "Lasting effects from the press conference will depend on the president’s response to other key issues, such as real estate policy and appointments, as well as on tangible improvements in the public’s everyday life." He added, "How consistently President Lee’s statements today are reflected in the ruling party’s legislative efforts and the government’s administration will be the true measure of the press conference’s success."

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