President Lee urges prosecution to admit mistakes and apologize
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged the prosecution to acknowledge fallibility and apologize when mistakes occur.
- He emphasized that no institution, including the prosecution, should fall into the "trap of infallibility."
- The president stressed the prosecution's public duty and the responsibility that comes with its significant authority.
President Lee Jae-myung has called on the prosecution service to embrace accountability, stating that "everyone can make mistakes, and when they do, they should apologize and retract." The president made these remarks during a joint State Council meeting and emergency economic inspection session held at the Blue House on June 2.
Everyone can make mistakes, and when they do, they should apologize and retract.
Lee cautioned the prosecution against succumbing to the "trap of infallibility," asserting that "no institution should fall into that trap." He underscored the prosecution's role as an organ of public service, highlighting the substantial authority it wields and the corresponding responsibility it must bear. This directive appears to emphasize the need for the prosecution to move beyond a perception of absolute correctness in its investigative and prosecutorial processes and to rectify errors when they arise.
No institution should fall into that trap.
The president's comments come amidst ongoing discussions about the role and conduct of the prosecution. His emphasis on acknowledging errors and issuing apologies suggests a push for greater transparency and a more responsive approach from the legal system. The remarks aim to foster a culture where admitting fault is seen not as a weakness, but as a necessary component of public service and maintaining public trust.
The prosecution is an institution with a public duty. It holds immense authority and must bear appropriate responsibility.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.