Seoul: The presidential office announced that it has requested the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to withdraw its proposed bill aimed at suspending criminal trials for a sitting president, describing the legislation as "unnecessary."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, commented on the decision after the DP opted to scrap the bill. This decision came amid criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which argued that the bill was intended to protect President Lee Jae Myung. Kang pointed out that the majority of constitutional scholars concur that Article 84 of the Constitution already ensures the suspension of criminal proceedings against a sitting president, with the Constitutional Court interpreting the provision in the same light.

Kang further elaborated that since such a suspension is constitutionally guaranteed, the introduction of additional legislation is redundant. He stated, "If a court were to resume a previously suspended trial in violation of the Constitution, it would still not be too late to seek a constitutional review and enact a related law at that time." The presidential office has urged the ruling party to remove the proposed bill from its judicial reform agenda, emphasizing the need to keep the president out of partisan conflicts.

President Lee had been undergoing trial for election law violations and other charges; however, these proceedings were halted following his inauguration in June, as stipulated by Article 84 of the Constitution. This article specifies that a sitting president cannot be charged with a criminal offense, except in cases of insurrection or treason.