Investigation body chief attends Cabinet meeting for 2nd time amid controversy
Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), once again attended a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, despite opposition criticism that his presence could undermine the agency's neutrality and independence. Kim's attendance marked the second time he had joined the weekly Cabinet meeting since heading the SCIA, which was…
Kim Ji-yong, the first chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), returned to a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, despite opposition concerns that his presence could threaten the agency's impartiality and independence. This marked the second time Kim had attended the weekly Cabinet meeting since the SCIA was established on October 2 as part of a criminal justice reform that removed prosecutors' investigative authority.
Kim Jong-chul, the acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and acting Prosecutor General Lee Jeong-hyun also attended the Cabinet meeting. A recent parliamentary audit of the Lee administration sparked a contentious debate over the appropriateness of heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies attending Cabinet meetings.
Opposition lawmakers contended that such attendance could impair their agencies' neutrality and independence, while supporters among ruling party lawmakers argued that their presence was essential for coordinating state affairs and ensuring smooth governance.
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