"Need for Prosecution Reform Growing, Reaping What You Sow... 3 Special Prosecutors, Key to Rebuilding Democracy"

"There are many real estate measures... a huge amount of supply expansion and demand suppression measures remain"

"Tariff negotiations are difficult, but the best we can do. There are many areas of cooperation between Korea and Japan, including North Korea's nuclear program... It's foolish to cut off inter-Korean dialogue."

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Hyeong-seop = President Lee Jae-myung reaffirmed his will for high-intensity prosecution reform, saying on the 3rd,"There is no disagreement about separating the prosecution's investigative and indictment rights."

Regarding economic policy, he promised to"mobilize all prescriptions to stabilize people's livelihoods," and regarding the real estate issue, he said,"The recent lending regulations are just a taste," foreshadowing that the housing price stabilization measures could continue.

The president detailed his future direction for state administration, including these contents, at a press conference titled “The President’s 30 Days: Asked by the Press and Answered by the People” held at the Blue House guest house on the first month of his inauguration.

First, regarding the issue of reforming the power structure, the president said,"Prosecution reform, or judicial reform including this, is a very important and realistic task," and "the same entity should not have the right to investigate and prosecute at the same time."

He continued,"Even during the Moon Jae-in administration, there seemed to be quite a bit of public opposition, but it doesn't seem to be that much now," and pointed out,"The need for reform has grown even more. It's a kind of reaping what you sow."

Regarding the timing of completion of the prosecution reform, the president predicted,"The (Democratic Party of Korea) leadership candidates are saying that it should be done before Chuseok, and it may be possible to establish the system itself by then."

Regarding the Board of Audit and Inspection, he said,"I would like to transfer the functions of the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly even now if possible," and "I will also push for reform of government agencies at a rapid pace."

Regarding the three special prosecutors who were recently launched, he expressed his expectations, saying,"They will play a key role in completely ending the civil war and rebuilding constitutional order and democracy in accordance with the people's command."

However, the president also emphasized,"It is dangerous to only use the colors you like and the same side. It could even develop into political retaliation," and "We must pursue a unified government."

Regarding the economic sector, the president emphasized, “Above all, I will do my utmost to restore the collapsed people’s livelihoods,” and “I will achieve growth for all through balanced development of industries that coexist, and I will protect the people’s lives without any gaps with a thick social safety net.”

When asked whether there were any plans to further prepare a supplementary budget, he said,"For now, there are no plans to add more."

Regarding economic performance during the first month of his term, he said,"The stock market seems to be doing well," and "I thought the situation would improve just by improving the system, such as revising the Commercial Act, and eliminating negative factors, such as stock price manipulation, so I am glad that this is reflected in the market."

He said,"We will definitely change Korea Discount into Korea Premium."

He made a 'statement of determination' regarding signs of overheating in the real estate market.

Regarding the government's recent loan regulations to stabilize housing prices, the president said,"Speculative demand is greatly disrupting the real estate market, so we will try to change the flow," adding,"This loan regulation is just a taste."

In particular, he emphasized,"There are still a lot of supply expansion and demand suppression measures left," and "I think it is now much better to move (investment) to the financial market rather than real estate."

Regarding the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, which have garnered attention among diplomatic and security issues, he said,"It is clear that (the progress of the negotiations) is not very easy," and "We are doing our best."

The president said,"We need to come up with a mutually beneficial outcome that helps both sides, but it's not clear yet what exactly the two sides want," adding,"It's hard to say for sure whether we can finish by July 8 (the current deadline for negotiations)."

Regarding Korea-Japan relations, he said,"We are both suffering because we have not yet resolved issues of the past, but there is much to cooperate on, such as security issues such as responding to North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles, and economic issues."

While doing so, he reaffirmed the Korea-US-Japan cooperation tone by saying, “The two countries have a special alliance with the United States. They share many common interests in strategic and military aspects,” and “We must have a flexible and rational attitude to fight with our right hands but hold each other’s left hands.”

Regarding inter-Korean relations, he said,"We must improve relations with North Korea based on strong cooperation and consultation between South Korea and the United States," and pointed out that "cutting off dialogue altogether is truly foolish."

The president said,"North Korea's response to the suspension of broadcasts to the North was greater than expected," and emphasized,"We must ease (tensions) one by one through dialogue and communication."

However, he said,"We also need to pay attention to the North Korean human rights issue," and "Humanitarian aid to improve the lives of the North Korean people could also help improve human rights in North Korea."