Lee: "Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Office at Cabinet Meeting... Constitutionally a Matter of Course"

Directly rebuts criticism that attendance undermines political neutrality
"We do not get involved in individual cases"

President Lee Jaemyung said on October 13 that it was "a natural requirement under the Government Organization Act and the Constitution" for the conservative opposition to criticize the heads of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Agency for attending a Cabinet meeting.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 13th. 2026.10.13 Yonhap News Agency

At a Cabinet meeting held that day at the Blue House, President Lee said, "There seem to be objections to why the heads of the agencies responsible for investigations and prosecutions are attending Cabinet meetings," adding, "I find it difficult to agree with those objections."

Citing Articles 11 and 18 of the Government Organization Act, which stipulate the administrative oversight authority of the president and prime minister, President Lee said, "The administration of state affairs naturally falls under the jurisdiction of the president and prime minister." He added, "We do not get involved in the handling of individual cases," and "It is very important to share the general direction and policies of state affairs."

He continued, "It is not desirable to tell agencies what to do in individual cases, but investigative agencies, too, carry out duties entrusted to them for the people and the state." He added, "Other administrative ministries handle matters such as permits and patents that directly affect people's interests. It would not be right to exclude them from sharing information simply because they handle such matters." His remarks were interpreted as emphasizing that the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Agency are subject to the president's direction and oversight, while their neutrality is not compromised because he does not intervene in individual cases.

Meanwhile, some conservative politicians, including members of the People Power Party, criticized the attendance at the Cabinet meeting of Jeon Jongmin, acting head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency; Lee Jeonghyeon, acting head of the Prosecution Agency; and Kim Jongcheol, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, saying it could undermine the political neutrality of agencies responsible for investigations and prosecutions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.