At a press conference held at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Sept. 18, Lee said, "I am not the only one harmed by the previous administration's excessive investigations and indictments pursued for political purposes," adding, "There are journalists, public officials, politicians and private citizens as well." He said, "I believe it is right to establish the truth through a special counsel in cases where malicious fabrication of investigations is suspected."
"Among the special counsel's powers now under debate, I think it is right to delete the provisions on the transfer and disposition of existing indicted cases and allow the focus to be solely on uncovering the truth," he said, stressing, "I hope the National Assembly takes steps to prevent unnecessary controversy over withdrawing indictments."
Lee also addressed the political dispute. "There is a debate over whether to withdraw indictments in existing cases, or to make that possible," he said. "This is a matter that should be handled according to law, principle and common sense, but it has become a political issue and the essence has been obscured, which I find regrettable."
