Justice Minister Nominee Lee: “Uncovering the truth comes first in dropping indictments... Ties to president are no disqualification”

"Special Counsel to Focus on Uncovering the Truth... All Else in Accordance with Law and Principles"
"Complete Prosecutorial Reform and Ensure New Criminal Justice System Takes Root"
Pushes Back Against Daejang-dong Allegations and Yoo's Claims

Lee Yongcheol, the nominee for justice minister, said regarding the controversy over dropping indictments surrounding the so-called “special counsel probe into fabricated indictments,” “From now on, it is right to focus solely on uncovering the truth.” Responding to criticism that his longstanding ties to President Lee Jae-myung influenced his nomination, he said, “I do not believe that being personally acquainted with the president should disqualify someone from serving as a minister.”

Lee Yongcheol, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and nominee for justice minister, arrives for work at the agency's office in the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 9th. Yonhap News.

Asked about his position on the controversy over dropping indictments as he arrived for work at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in the Government Complex Gwacheon on the morning of November 9, Lee said, “The president urged the National Assembly to ensure that the special counsel focuses solely on uncovering the truth, and the National Assembly enacted the special counsel law accordingly.” He added, “It is best to handle all other matters in accordance with the law and principles.”

On his nomination as justice minister, Lee said, “I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility at being nominated at such a grave time.” He added, “I understand this to mean that I should return to the original resolve with which I began prosecutorial reform, successfully complete the reforms, and ensure that the new criminal justice system takes root as soon as possible.” He also stressed, “Even after the grace period during which prosecutors are allowed to investigate ends, I will ensure the transfer of cases and functions so that investigative agencies, including the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, can maintain their ability to respond to major crimes such as economic and drug-related offenses.”

Lee also denied allegations that he was the “hidden architect” of the Daejang-dong development project. He is accused of having served on the executive recommendation committee that appointed Yoo Dong-gyu, then head of planning at the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, as head of planning at the Seongnam Facilities Management Corporation in 2010, and of giving Yoo a high score. In response, Lee said, “Yoo was appointed as a division head at the Seongnam Facilities Management Corporation in 2010. At the time, the corporation had no connection whatsoever to the Daejang-dong project, and I was not involved at all in the reappointment process.” He added, “I knew almost nothing about the Daejang-dong project then, and I still know almost nothing about it.”

Regarding his ties to President Lee, he said, “It would be a problem if someone were appointed solely because of personal connections, regardless of their expertise, insight or qualifications. But if that is not the case, personal ties cannot be grounds for disqualification.” He added, “Many ministers in the past have also been personally acquainted with the president.”

Lee also pushed back against allegations of gambling raised by Yoo. Yoo previously claimed on a YouTube broadcast that he had played poker with Lee at a dakbaeksuk restaurant, with the stakes totaling about 2 million won. In response, Lee said, “Yoo has made extremely malicious and defamatory claims about me.” He denied the allegations, saying, “I have never gambled for stakes large enough to go beyond casual entertainment with family or friends.”

Lee added, “I cannot help but ask whether it makes sense to remember details of something that happened more than a decade ago as if it were yesterday, including which restaurant it was and that someone won several million won while gambling.” He also questioned the credibility of Yoo’s claims. In response to the claim that he would stop at nothing to carry out the president’s orders, he said, “I would like him to provide even one specific example.”

Responding to criticism that he lacks experience in administering the justice system, Lee said, “I have worked as a legal professional for 30 years and also have administrative experience leading a large organization like the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.” He added, “I will humbly listen to feedback on areas where I fall short and address them quickly.”

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