Presidential Immunity Tested as Protesters Demand Drop of Lee’s Accusations

A wave of demonstrations erupted in Seoul on Monday as the People’s Power Party (PPP) staged a series of solo protests outside the presidential office, demanding that all accusation papers against President Lee Jae‑myung be withdrawn.

The catalyst is a bill approved by the ruling Democratic Party in a full National Assembly session on Friday. The measure authorizes an independent special prosecutor to probe the alleged fabrication of false accusation documents aimed at President Lee and his allies during the previous administration of President Yoon Suk‑yeol.

PPP officials convened a Supreme Council meeting just beyond the gates of Cheong Wa Dae, underscoring their refusal to accept the bill’s premise. Party head Jang Dong‑hyuk emphasized that the draft has already reached the presidential office and may be ratified in a cabinet meeting slated for Tuesday.

The opposition claims the law seeks to erase existing accusation sheets that implicate Lee in alleged corruption tied to his former mayoral and gubernatorial posts, including dubious development projects, illicit money flows to North Korea, and misuse of a governmental credit card.

South Korea’s constitution provides the president with immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, barring cases of rebellion or treason. This legal shield has stalled ongoing investigations against Lee.

Earlier protests included a rally outside the National Assembly on Friday and a larger demonstration near Gyeongbok Palace on Saturday. The PPP has announced that its parliamentarians will convene an extraordinary meeting outside the presidential office on Tuesday to further pressurize the government.

Jang warned that the passage of the bill could trigger widespread public outrage and revitalize impeachment as a political option.