Blue House: President's commitment to separating investigation, prosecution powers remains firm

South Korea's Blue House asserted on July 16 that President Lee Jae-myung's administration has consistently upheld the core principle of separating investigative and prosecutorial powers as a key aspect of prosecution reform. This declaration addresses recent criticisms leveled by author Yoo Si-min.

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The Blue House and President Lee Jae-myung have never wavered on the core value of prosecution reform, the separation of investigation and prosecution powers.

Yoo Si-min had claimed on a YouTube channel that the prolonged delay in prosecution reform, exceeding a year, stems from President Lee's unwillingness to fully separate the two functions. He further suggested that the president is making a grave error, leading the administration down a path of "inevitable failure."

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We do not have separate positions or responses to remarks made by specific individuals.

In response to questions about Yoo's comments, Blue House Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated that the administration does not issue separate statements or responses to remarks made by specific individuals. However, she reiterated the Blue House's firm stance on the prosecution reform agenda.

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It was a direct and blatant attack on President Lee. It crossed the line.

The remarks by Yoo Si-min have triggered strong reactions from within the pro-Lee faction of the Democratic Party. Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu described Yoo's comments as a "direct and blatant" attack on President Lee, crossing a line. Five-term lawmaker Park Jie-won questioned the timing and motive behind challenging the president, who has been in office for just over a year. Presidential associate Rep. Kim Nam-jun characterized Yoo's statements as closer to "vituperation that increases enemies of reform" rather than constructive criticism.

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Yoo's remarks are closer to vituperation that increases enemies of reform than constructive criticism for reform.