President Lee Jae-myung stated that abandoning oversight of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency would constitute "grounds for impeachment," as he reiterated his stance amid criticism regarding the attendance of investigation agency heads at cabinet meetings. He emphasized the president's authority and responsibility in maintaining oversight.
On social media, President Lee asserted, "To abandon oversight of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency is a violation of the Constitution and the Government Organization Act, and it is a crime that could lead to criminal charges for neglect of duty." He explained that all ministries, including the prosecution, meteorological, and fire agencies, are mandated by the Constitution and the Government Organization Act to be under the oversight of the president and the prime minister.
Opposition parties and civil society have expressed concerns that, regardless of the legality of attendance, the presence of the president and government officials at regular meetings could place political pressure on investigative agencies. The controversy continues as the president and the Blue House reaffirm their stance on attendance.
President Lee questioned whether he should refrain from oversight of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, asking if he was being told to violate the Constitution and laws. He also inquired whether meetings should be held privately instead of publicly.
He criticized the argument that excluding investigative agencies from public meetings would ensure political neutrality as "illogical." He maintained that demands to exclude the Major Crimes Investigation Agency from cabinet meetings contradict the Constitution, laws, and common sense.
The Blue House also distanced itself from concerns about interference in investigations. Sung Ki-hong, the chief of public relations and communication, stated during a briefing that specific investigations and prosecutions would not be addressed at cabinet meetings. He explained that investigative agencies, as part of the government organization, should share the direction of national policy and public welfare issues.
Sung emphasized, "A government of popular sovereignty is firmly committed to maintaining the fairness of investigations, political neutrality, and the independence of prosecutorial decisions. This principle will remain unwavering in the future."
The opposition reacted immediately. Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon criticized on Facebook, "If President Lee's argument holds, then all past presidents who did not oversee investigations should have been impeached. It seems he is under the illusion that he was elected as a king."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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