PRESIDENT MOON ON CHOO-YOON CONFLICT

[Anchor Lead]

President Moon Jae-in apologized for the escalating confrontation between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. He hoped the chaos is be the last pain the nation is facing on the road to achieving reform and a more mature democracy. At the same time, he called for the launch of a new agency tasked with investigating corruption cases involving high-ranking public officials. Here is more.

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President Moon Jae-in apologized for the deepening conflict between the country's justice minister and the top prosecutor. This is the first time the president has issued a public apology over the situation.

[Soundbite] "As president, I am deeply sorry for having caused public concerns when the whole nation must focus and work together to overcome the pandemic and improve the state of the economy."

Regarding disciplinary measures against the prosecutor general, Moon reaffirmed that problems must be settled through democratic procedures and in accordance with the law. His following remarks focused on his determination to reform agencies in power. He added that the nation is working to resolve the long-standing problem to become a more mature democracy. President Moon hopes the current confusion will be the last growing pain it experiences before achieving a full-fledged reform.

[Soundbite] "Despite a great deal of hardships and obstacles, the government has remained unwavering and focused on reforming state agencies in power. We have now reached the final stage to achieve this goal."

He then placed top priority on the launch of a corruption investigation office for high-ranking officials, stressing the ongoing plenary parliamentary session as the last chance to pass reform bills.

[Soundbite] "I hope for the launch of the CIO and the passage of the reform bills that will distribute the power of state institutions held by the prosecution, police and spy agency."

The president championed the reform of the prosecution by harking back to his inaugural speech three years ago. It appears that through these remarks, he intended to appease the public sentiment while reiterating his determination to push forward with the launch of the new corruption investigative agency.