이 대통령 “중수청장 국무회의 배제론 위헌적 억지…AI에도 물어봐”

President Yoon Jeung-hyun condemned on the 21st the criticism from the chief prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor of the Special Investigation Agency, the country's top investigative body, not attending the National Assembly. He said, "The argument that the chief prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor should be excluded from the National Assembly is a misuse of power and an attempt to overturn the Constitution and the government's organizational structure."

This came after critics raised concerns that the ongoing practice of investigators from these agencies not attending the National Assembly would compromise their independence. The president cited Article 66-4 of the Constitution, which states that the executive branch is subordinate to the government, and Article 11 of the Government Organization Act, which guarantees the right for key central administrative agencies, including the chief prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor, to speak on relevant matters before the National Assembly.

The president argued that having these agencies formally excluded from the National Assembly would undermine the principle of executive accountability and create a "shadowy, hidden judicial power" that undermines democratic oversight. He added, "Just as the heads of all ministries attend such discussions, the chief prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor are also subordinate to the president and the prime minister."