President Lee warns against sweeping prosecution overhaul

Mar 10, 2026, 08:51 am

		0
President Lee Jae-myung enters an emergency economic inspection meeting on the Middle East situation at the presidential office on March 9. /Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on Monday reiterated the need to adjust the pace of prosecution reform, warning against sweeping measures that could cause broader institutional damage.

“Even when pursuing necessary reforms, we must be careful not to burn down the entire house just to catch a flea,” Lee said, invoking a Korean proverb to emphasize the importance of a cautious approach.

The remarks came two days after Lee stated that “becoming president does not mean one can do whatever they want,” comments widely interpreted as directed at hard-line members within the ruling party who oppose the government’s plans to establish a Major Crimes Investigation Office and a separate Public Prosecution Office.

Lee’s latest statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter) under the title “Reform often requires surgical correction,” clarified his stance on judicial reform and signaled that his earlier message was indeed aimed at those pushing for more aggressive changes to the prosecution system.

The president stressed that judicial wrongdoing should be viewed as the problem of certain individuals rather than the entire institution, and that reforms must minimize unnecessary conflict and damage.

While Lee noted that reforms across sectors — including the prosecution, labor, economy, media and judiciary — should follow the same principle, observers interpreted his remarks as primarily targeting the direction and pace of prosecution reform.

In the lengthy post, which ran more than 2,300 characters, Lee also referenced his own experiences as a civic activist, mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, during which he faced multiple indictments by prosecutors.

The detailed message suggested a pragmatic approach to reform, emphasizing that realistic and practical measures increase the likelihood of success.

A presidential office official said Lee was attempting to explain the policy direction to “principle-driven advocates” while persuading the public of the need for a balanced reform plan.

Some political observers also interpret Lee’s remarks as a warning to hard-line ruling party lawmakers who have criticized the government’s reform proposals, particularly ahead of the June 3 local elections, as they seek to appeal to more radical supporters.

In closing, Lee appealed for patience and public support.

“I hope you understand that this is the result of my own deliberation to carry out the difficult tasks of national unity and reform at the same time,” he wrote.

“Even if the process is slow and difficult, and even if it takes time and may feel unsatisfactory, I would appreciate it if we could trust and encourage each other as we move forward together.”

#Lee Jae-myung #prosecution reform #South Korea politics #investigative agency reform