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 res

On September 18, President Lee Jaemyung explicitly denied any intention to seek a second term during a press conference, and requested the National Assembly to remove clauses related to case dismissal from the special counsel bill regarding alleged fabricated indictments. This has drawn attention to whether his approval ratings will rebound. By making clear his intentions regarding the re-election controversy and offering an amendment to the bill as a solution for the case dismissal issue, the Blue House and political observers noted that he has created an opportunity to reduce political uncertainty. However, there are also views that question whether the removal of the case dismissal clause will actually be legislated, and whether the special counsel's investigation can ultimately be separated from the handling of the President's personal cases.

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 his seventh press conference since taking office, held at the Blue House State Guest House that day, President Lee stated, "I have absolutely no intention of seeking a second term." He explained that demands for a pledge not to seek another term were perceived as a political attack trying to make it appear as though he planned to run for re-election but gave up. While explaining the background of his previous responses, Lee added that he did not want to leave room for interpretation regarding his own intentions.

This answer goes a step further than simply referring to the constitutional term limits. During a state visit to France, President Lee had stressed that his term was clearly limited by the constitution. This time, he directly addressed not only the institutional possibility but also his own personal intentions regarding re-election. This move is seen as an attempt to dispel suspicions that discussions around constitutional amendment are meant to extend the current president's term.

As a result, the controversy surrounding the possibility of a second term may lose momentum for the time being. Since the president publicly denied any intention of seeking a second term, this statement will inevitably serve as a political standard in future discussions regarding constitutional amendments. However, the extent to which trust is restored will depend on whether the ruling party's actions align with the president's explanation during the specifics and proceedings of the amendment process.

Regarding the case dismissal issue, President Lee called for more concrete measures. He requested the National Assembly to remove clauses from the special counsel bill that empower the transfer and disposition of already indicted cases, insisting that the special counsel should "focus exclusively on uncovering the truth." This means that, in response to concerns that the special counsel could take over and dismiss indictments related to the president, he is asking that such provisions be eliminated from the bill.

The core issue was whether the special counsel's powers would extend beyond investigating the alleged fabricated indictment to determining the validity of pending indictments. In this scenario, the justification of the special counsel—clarifying illegality in the prosecution and indictment process—could become entangled with lessening the president's personal legal liabilities. President Lee's request to remove relevant clauses can thus be interpreted as an attempt to separate these two matters.

However, it is difficult to interpret Lee's statement as a blanket declaration ruling out any possibility of case dismissal for presidential-related cases. The request specifically targets the transfer and disposition authority over existing cases in the special counsel bill; it does not negate the need to uncover the truth about the fabricated indictment allegations. The debate over how the special counsel's authority and scope, as well as its investigation outcomes, should be applied to pending cases remains unresolved.

The focus has now shifted to the Democratic Party's next steps. Immediately after the press conference, a party official explained, "The party leadership must first make a judgment, and then follow up with actions after discussions at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee." If the bill is swiftly amended, it could bolster the effectiveness of President Lee's statements; however, if internal party discussions are delayed or similar powers are granted by alternate means, controversy could arise again.

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, beyond clarifying the two current issues, President Lee used the press conference to signal a change in his approach to state affairs. He shared how he faced the public's disappointment and concern after the local elections and acknowledged his shortcomings, saying, "The people are always right." Lee also appealed to his supporters, asking them not to doubt the sincerity of those who have worked together for the cause, even if their methods differ. This message aimed to reduce distrust among moderates and resolve internal conflicts within the ruling bloc.

Although addressing the controversies over re-election and case dismissal could ease the burden associated with recovering approval ratings, political circles note that an overall evaluation of governance will hinge on more than explanations of these two issues. A ruling bloc official explained, "To sustain the positive effects of the press conference, follow-up actions are needed on other issues such as real estate policy and appointments, and there must be tangible improvements in people's everyday lives. The extent to which President Lee's remarks are consistently reflected in the ruling party’s legislation and the government's management of state affairs will determine how the press conference is ultimately evaluated."

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