(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Jae-ha and Choi Yun-seon = Justice Minister candidate Lee Yong-cheol once again took the position that "investigating the truth comes first" regarding the controversy over the cancellation of the indictment in President Lee Jae-myung's criminal case.
This contrasts with the previous dismissal of the possibility of cancellation of the indictment by former Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho and Kim Seung-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was nominated as a candidate for Minister of Justice but then resigned.
Candidate Lee Yong-cheol was asked about the cancellation of the indictment on his first day at the personnel hearing preparation team set up in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 11th. He answered, "As I already said, now is the time to focus on finding the truth, and there is no change in my existing position that the rest must follow laws and principles."
When asked whether there was a possibility of exercising the investigative command authority depending on the results of the truth-finding, candidate Lee said, "I don't think it is appropriate to give an opinion on the controversy based on many predictions, predictions, and speculations at a time when the truth-finding has not even begun."
He emphasized, "However, I am not a member of the 'Indictment Cancellation Group' and have never participated as a defense attorney in a case subject to the special prosecution (investigation). Therefore, I will watch the special prosecution's truth-finding activities without any predictions or prejudices in the future."
In addition, candidate Lee Yong-cheol responded to the criticism surrounding the special prosecution for the fabricated indictment, saying, "I don't think it is appropriate for a candidate to evaluate the special prosecution because it is also the legislator's decision."
When asked about his evaluation of the investigation into the Daejangdong development corruption and the Ssangbangwool remittance case to North Korea, he remained silent, saying, "I have not received sufficient reports and it does not seem appropriate to evaluate from my current position."
Candidate Lee also answered that he did not know much about the fact that while he was serving as the CEO of the Seongnam Industrial Emerging Foundation, the foundation rented some space in the government building several times for the Unified Progressive Party's so-called underground revolutionary operation 'RO' event.
He said, "I wasn't deeply involved in such very practical matters," and "I don't remember that itself at the moment."
Candidate Lee Yong-cheol said in his doorstep (abbreviated Q&A) opening remarks on this day, "In the process of preparing for the confirmation hearing over the past few days, I am feeling an even greater sense of responsibility as I, as the nominee for Minister of Justice, have encountered many people's expectations and concerns."
He went on to say, "If given the opportunity to work as minister, I will first and foremost strive to establish a new criminal justice system," and added, "I will closely consult with relevant organizations to ensure that there are no gaps in crime response or inconvenience to the public during the process of system change."
He also emphasized, "In consultation with the newly appointed Director of the Public Prosecution Service (Prosecutor General), we will work to quickly expand fair personnel and manpower to stabilize the organization and boost the morale of its members."
In addition, he added, "We will strive to quickly find solutions to the many challenges facing the Ministry of Justice, such as preventive measures against the recent surge in relational crimes, difficulties in correctional administration due to overcrowding, establishing a legal order of stay while protecting the human rights of foreigners, advancement of legal administration based on AI (artificial intelligence), and resolving employee grievances following the Ministry of Justice's relocation to regional areas."
