Prosecution must rule on legality of dropping charges against President Lee: Justice Minister Han

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon stated that the prosecution must determine the legality of dropping charges against President Lee Jae-myung if the initial indictment was unlawful. Han made these remarks on August 26 following his farewell ceremony at the Government Complex in Gwacheon.

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If it was an unlawful and illegal procedure, it is a matter for the prosecution to decide.

Responding to questions about whether the pressure surrounding President Lee's case influenced his resignation, Han firmly denied any connection. He asserted that his decision to step down was unrelated to the presidential indictment issue. Han cited health concerns and the completion of significant legislative reforms, including changes to the Criminal Procedure Act, as the primary reasons for his departure.

Han acknowledged that voices within the prosecution are calling for a review of past practices, especially during the transition to a new investigative agency. He pointed to the ongoing review by the "Prosecution and Human Rights Future Committee" (Prosecution Future Committee) into past investigations, suggesting that discussions on President Lee's case should follow this review. Han clarified that the committee was not formed specifically for President Lee's case but rather to address public concerns about numerous questionable investigations under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

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The issue of the presidential indictment has absolutely nothing to do with my resignation.

Regarding concerns about the revised Criminal Procedure Act, Han stressed the importance of proactively addressing anticipated issues rather than reacting to problems after implementation. He recognized that lawmakers are also hearing public concerns and pledged to work towards incorporating them. Han also expressed regret over the significant loss of public trust in the Ministry of Justice during his tenure, despite his efforts over the past year. He emphasized the need for meticulous oversight of investigative processes to prevent public anxiety and ensure justice for victims as the new laws take effect.

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There are voices within the prosecution calling for a review of past wrongdoings during the transition to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.

In his farewell address, Han urged his staff to remain vigilant during the unprecedented changes ahead, ensuring the protection of citizens and fair procedures under the new criminal justice system. He highlighted the principle of "a nation cannot stand without trust," quoting Confucius, and stressed that law and justice cannot be upheld without public confidence. Han submitted his resignation on August 18 due to health issues and the finalization of key legislative reforms, which President Lee accepted on August 24. Vice Minister Lee Jin-soo will serve as acting Justice Minister until a successor is appointed.

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We must proactively correct issues that are clearly anticipated, rather than correcting problems discovered during the specific implementation process.