Lee Yongcheol, Justice Minister Nominee: "Prejudging Indictment Withdrawal Debate Is Inappropriate... Truth-Finding Comes First"

First day at confirmation hearing prep office... stresses stability of Public Prosecution Office
"I'm not a member of the group advocating for indictment withdrawal; I'll watch the special counsel's work"
"It would be inappropriate to assess the Daejang-dong and North Korea remittance investigations"

Lee Yongcheol, nominee for minister of justice, said the controversy over withdrawing the indictment in a case involving President Lee Jae-myung had not changed his basic position: "Now is the time to focus on uncovering the truth, and everything else must be handled in accordance with the law and principles."

Justice Minister nominee Lee Yongcheol speaks as he arrives at the office of the confirmation hearing preparation team at the Seoul Immigration Office in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on November 11, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin.

Lee made the remarks on the morning of November 11, as he arrived for his first day at the office of the confirmation hearing preparation team at the Seoul Immigration Office in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Asked whether he would exercise his authority to direct investigations related to the withdrawal of the indictment, depending on the findings of the truth-finding process, he replied, "It would be inappropriate to comment on a controversy based on numerous prejudgments and speculation when the process of uncovering the truth has not even begun." He added, "I am not a member of the group advocating for the withdrawal of the indictment, nor have I participated as a defense attorney in any case subject to a special counsel investigation. I will follow the special counsel's fact-finding activities without any prejudgments or preconceptions."

Regarding criticism of the special counsel bill on fabricated prosecutions, Lee said, "It would be inappropriate for me, as a nominee, to assess a special counsel law that reflects the decision of the legislative authority." He also declined to comment on investigations into the Daejang-dong development project and the Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea case, saying, "It would be inappropriate to assess them without having received a full briefing."

He identified the early establishment of a new criminal justice system as his top priority as minister of justice. "I will work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure that the process of institutional change does not create gaps in crime prevention and response or cause inconvenience to the public," Lee said.

He also stressed, "In consultation with the incoming prosecutor general, I will move quickly to ensure fair personnel appointments and increase staffing, while working to stabilize the organization and boost employee morale. I will ensure that the Public Prosecution Office delivers justice through the fair exercise of its authority to prosecute and establishes itself as a human rights protection agency, including by protecting victims."

He also identified preventing relationship-related crimes, addressing overcrowding in correctional facilities, establishing order in the stay of foreign nationals, advancing AI-based legal administration, and resolving staff grievances arising from the relocation of the Ministry of Justice outside the capital as key priorities. Lee's confirmation hearing is expected to take place sometime next week.

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