Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung warned against "irresponsible extremism" that he said is demanding excessive reform.
- Lee made remarks on social platform X in response to a user's demand for an apology.
- The president stated that some individuals hinder prosecution reform with excessive demands for personal agendas.
- Lee's comments are seen as targeting hard-liners within his ruling Democratic Party.
- A recent reform bill stripped prosecutors of all investigative power, leaving only the authority to indict.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned Wednesday against "irresponsible extremism" that he said is demanding excessive reform, insisting such extremism may jeopardize effective reforms. Lee made the remarks on the social platform X in response to a user demanding he apologize for describing his critics as "irresponsible extremists."
Lee wrote that while some sincerely call for prosecution reform, others hinder it with excessive demands for personal agendas. He characterized calls for "all-or-nothing" approaches as "irresponsible extremism."
The president's message is widely seen as targeting hard-liners within his ruling Democratic Party who accused Lee of backtracking on prosecution reform. A recent reform bill legislated by the ruling party stripped prosecutors of all investigative power.