Hardline lawmakers within the ruling party have signaled plans to revise the government's toned-down bills on the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Public Prosecution Agency, prompting President Lee Jae-myung to express disapproval repeatedly.
The president stepped in directly to quell the controversy after public disagreements emerged within the ruling party over policies crafted by the presidential office and government. Despite his intervention, hardline lawmakers remain committed to further reducing the prosecution's status and investigative authority, raising concerns about escalating tensions between the party and the presidential office.
President Lee wrote on social media on the 9th: "Even when pursuing necessary reforms, we must be careful not to condemn everyone collectively and treat all as targets of reform, resulting in 'burning down the house to catch a bedbug.'"
Political observers interpreted this as a direct rebuke of hardline lawmakers who have criticized the government's bills as a "retreat from prosecution reform" and demanded parliamentary revisions.
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, considered a close ally of the president, publicly distanced himself from the hardliners' position. "The slogan of reform may be ours, but the criminal justice system belongs to all citizens," Jung said. "While implementing our agenda is important, it is equally important to design a system meticulously so that victims' grievances are addressed and criminals cannot rest easy."
He emphasized that reforms that excessively shrink or provoke the prosecution could ultimately harm crime victims.
Nevertheless, Democratic Party hardliners including Rep. Choo Mi-ae, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Kim Yong-min maintain their position that the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency's investigative authority and scope should be further reduced and the title of Prosecutor General abolished.
After the president's social media post, Rep. Kim appeared on a YouTube program and refused to back down, stating: "Under the current bill, we would end up with a Public Prosecution Agency more powerful than the current prosecution."
Party leadership has also left open the possibility of legislative adjustments, sustaining subtle tensions with the presidential office. At a press conference on the 8th, Party Chairman Jung Chung-rae said: "Since legislative authority rests with the party, I believe coordination is possible," leaving room for bill revisions.
A proxy battle between the pro-Lee faction and hardliners is emerging within the party. Rep. Han Jun-ho, classified as pro-Lee, openly criticized Chairwoman Choo: "The weight of the decision to adopt the government proposal as the party position at the general assembly is not insignificant. It is undesirable for the Judiciary Committee chair of the ruling party to publicly confront the president and government."
The conflict has spread beyond the party. Professor Park Chan-woon of Hanyang University Law School, who served as advisory committee chairman of the Prosecution Reform Task Force under the Prime Minister, criticized the hardliners and announced his resignation. "The hardliners' proposals will plunge our criminal justice procedures into unbearable chaos," Park said.