[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Acting Justice Minister Lee Jinsoo: "I Won't Direct Withdrawal of Indictments in President Lee's Cases... No Conclusion Has Been Predetermined"

Future Committee follow-up measures will depend on its findings
Members facing conflict-of-interest concerns will be excluded from related discussions

Acting Minister of Justice Lee Jinsoo said on the 8th that the activities of the Committee on Respect for Human Rights and the Future of Prosecution were not preliminary steps to withdraw indictments in criminal cases involving President Lee Jae-myung, rejecting opposition allegations. "We are not proceeding with any conclusion already decided," he said.

Acting Minister of Justice Lee Jinsu answers lawmakers' questions during a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Justice and other agencies at the National Assembly on the 8th. 2026.10.08 Photo by Yoon Dongju, reporter

Asked during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice that day whether the indictments in cases involving President Lee might be withdrawn based on the findings of the Prosecution Future Committee, Lee said, "The committee can offer its views based on the facts it uncovers, and what follow-up measures to take will depend on the findings."

However, Lee ruled out the possibility that the Ministry of Justice would exercise its authority to direct investigations and order the withdrawal of indictments in cases involving President Lee. "Former Justice Minister Jung Seong-ho also made clear that he had no intention of ordering the withdrawal of indictments by directing specific cases," Lee said.

When Kim Min-jeon of the People Power Party argued that investigating cases currently on trial amounted to interfering in trials, Lee said, "There is absolutely no intention of disregarding judicial proceedings," adding, "The investigation is not limited to cases currently on trial."

Lee also disputed criticism over the legal basis for the Future Committee and its affiliated fact-finding team. "The minister ordered the establishment of an independent investigative body based on the authority to direct and supervise prosecutorial affairs," he said, adding that "the acting prosecutor general is running the fact-finding team in accordance with its guidelines."

The Prosecution Future Committee selected a total of 19 cases for investigation over its first and second rounds. They include six cases in which President Lee was indicted, including the Ssangbangwool remittance to North Korea, the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong development projects, Seongnam FC, Wirye New Town, and the alleged misuse of a corporate credit card.

Lee said the committee would establish procedures to address potential conflicts of interest involving some members. In response to criticism that Jang Ju-young, chair of the Prosecution Future Committee, had represented former President Moon Jae-in in a case concerning alleged bribery by Moon, which is among the cases under investigation, Lee said, "To avoid any grounds for misunderstanding, the committee will operate by excluding the parties concerned from discussions on those matters."

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