President Lee: Attendance of Investigative Agency Heads at Cabinet Meetings is Standard

President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 13 that concerns regarding the attendance of heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies at Cabinet meetings potentially undermining political neutrality are difficult to agree with, asserting that it is a standard practice under the Government Organization Act and the Constitution.

During the 44th Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House, President Lee remarked, "There seems to be some criticism regarding why we invite heads of investigative agencies to the Cabinet meetings."

At the Cabinet meeting on October 6, Jeon Jong-min, acting head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, Kim Jong-cheol, acting head of the National Police Agency, and Lee Jeong-hyun, acting head of the Prosecution Service, were present. Following this, some political circles criticized the regular attendance of these officials, arguing it was inappropriate given the need for political neutrality.

President Lee cited the Government Organization Act, which grants the President and the Prime Minister the authority to direct and supervise heads of central administrative agencies, as the basis for their attendance at Cabinet meetings.

According to Article 2, Section 2 of the Government Organization Act, central administrative agencies are defined as ministries and agencies established by law. Article 11, Section 1 of the same law states that the President, as the head of the government, directs and supervises all heads of central administrative agencies according to the law. Article 18, Section 1 specifies that the Prime Minister directs and supervises the heads of each central administrative agency under the President's orders.

President Lee emphasized, "The administration of the state is naturally under the jurisdiction of the President and the Prime Minister," adding that it is crucial to share the general direction and policies of the government.

However, he clearly delineated that the President or the government should not interfere in specific investigations.

He stated, "We do not get involved in the handling of specific cases," and added, "It is undesirable to dictate how individual cases should be handled."

President Lee explained that investigative agencies also serve the public and the nation, performing tasks assigned by the people, and that it is necessary to share and discuss national policy directions.

He also noted that other administrative agencies handle tasks such as permits and licenses that directly affect the rights and interests of the public.

He concluded, "It is not right to completely exclude those who handle tasks that directly impact the public's interests from the process of sharing and understanding national policy directions," stating, "While there may be differing opinions, I want to emphasize that this is a natural practice under the Government Organization Act and the Constitution."