Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Monday urged caution in pushing ahead with reform measures to minimize potential side effects, suggesting a "surgical correction" approach where necessary. Lee reaffirmed his commitment to carrying out reform initiatives to address problems across various sectors but stressed the need to avoid discouraging or hurting many members who are not involved in causing those problems.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the importance of accurately identifying root causes and distinguishing right from wrong when implementing reforms. He stated on social media platform X, "Reform often requires surgical correction. To resolve problems, it is essential to accurately identify their root causes and clearly distinguish what is right from what is wrong." Lee highlighted that this approach should be applied to various areas, including prosecution, labor and economic, media, and judicial reforms.

Lee cautioned against indiscriminate actions that could harm innocent parties, using the metaphor of "burning down the whole house to catch a flea." He stressed the importance of proceeding with caution to minimize any potential conflicts or wounds that reforms might incur, affirming that giving up on necessary reforms is not an option.

In response to a user's claim regarding the judiciary's political targeting when the Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling clearing him of election law violations, Lee insisted that such instances should not tarnish the entire judiciary. He acknowledged existing issues in the public service sector but noted that these do not reflect all members' conduct. Lee commended judges who uphold judicial justice and protect human rights through their rulings.

The remarks came as the ruling Democratic Party is advocating for sweeping prosecution reforms to curb prosecutorial powers. Meanwhile, the government has indicated a preference for a more cautious and gradual approach to institutional reform.