Lee Jinsuk Publicly Opposes 'Three Major Special Prosecutor Bills Could Be Seen as Political Retaliation' at Cabinet Meeting

Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission and an appointee of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, reportedly publicly opposed the so-called three major special prosecutor bills (the Insurrection Special Prosecutor Bill, the Kim Geon Hee Special Prosecutor Bill, and the Chae Sangbyeong Special Prosecutor Bill) during the recent Cabinet meeting with President Lee Jae Myung. On June 11, Channel A reported, "Cabinet members appointed during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration expressed opposition to the three major special prosecutor bills," adding, "Chairperson Lee directly voiced opposition, stating that it could be seen as political retaliation." An official who attended the Cabinet meeting told Channel A, "Not only Chairperson Lee, but also many other Cabinet members appointed by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration pointed out issues with the special prosecutor bills."

Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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During the Cabinet meeting, the three major special prosecutor bills passed by the National Assembly were reviewed and voted on. Once the meeting was switched to a closed session, President Lee Jae Myung said, "If anyone has anything to say regarding the three major special prosecutor bills, please speak up," and Chairperson Lee reportedly voiced her opinion. Chairperson Lee said, "President Lee promised to be a president of unity during the presidential campaign, but this does not align with that spirit."

Additionally, Kim Seokwoo, Vice Minister of Justice, explained for more than ten minutes about the unconstitutionality of the three special prosecutor bills, stating, "Investigations by prosecutors and police are already underway." Kim Sunho, Vice Minister of National Defense, commented, "The investigation into the foreign exchange inducement crime is excessive," while Park Sangwoo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "There will be strong backlash from the other side." After hearing these various opinions, President Lee reportedly responded by saying, "I will take your comments into consideration."

Upon hearing this news, the Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement in the afternoon under the name of Deputy Spokesperson Lee Ji Hye, criticizing Chairperson Lee. Lee Ji Hye stated, "It is truly shameless to denounce a legitimate special prosecutor investigation as political retaliation," and added, "Chairperson Lee is the chairperson of Yoon Suk Yeol's media retaliation, who incited insurrection. Does Chairperson Lee, who accelerated the takeover of broadcasting with taxpayers' money while state affairs were collapsing, have any right to talk about political retaliation?" She further criticized, "The three major special prosecutor bills aim to uncover the insurrection, Kim Geon Hee's abuse of state power, and Yoon Suk Yeol's interference in investigations. Is turning a blind eye to all of this considered forgiveness and reconciliation?"

President Lee Jae Myung is saluting the national flag at the Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Meanwhile, there were also reports that Chairperson Lee spoke about the terms of public institution heads under the new administration during the Cabinet meeting. On June 11, TV Chosun reported, "Chairperson Lee made a determined statement, saying, 'We should not drive out institution heads every time the administration changes.'" According to the report, Chairperson Lee requested President Lee Jae Myung to guarantee her term, as stipulated by law, until August of next year.

She also reportedly claimed, "The ruling party is trying to amend the Broadcasting Act to remove me from office." This refers to the fact that if the amendment to the Broadcasting Act, proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Min Hee in April, is passed, Chairperson Lee's term could automatically end on the effective date of the law. In response, President Lee reportedly replied that he was not aware of such facts.

Previously, on June 4, after President Lee Jae Myung's inauguration, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education Lee Joo Ho, who was serving as Acting Prime Minister, offered the resignation of all Cabinet members. However, President Lee rejected the resignations of all Cabinet members except then-Minister of Justice Park Sung Jae, citing "the need for continuity in state affairs and emergency economic monitoring." As a result, the uneasy coexistence with Cabinet members from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is expected to continue until the confirmation of the new Prime Minister, who holds the right to recommend new ministers. The request for a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Min Seok was submitted to the National Assembly on the 10th. According to the Act on the Hearing of Public Officials, the National Assembly must complete the confirmation hearing within 20 days of the submission. Therefore, the deadline for Kim Min Seok's confirmation hearing is June 29.

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