President Lee defends live broadcasting of cabinet meetings

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reaffirmed his commitment to live-streaming portions of cabinet meetings, rejecting claims that the practice stifles open debate among government officials.

The controversy arose following reports that approximately ten ministers expressed concerns to Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, suggesting that live broadcasts make it difficult to offer dissenting opinions or engage in healthy policy debate. President Lee dismissed these reports as "false claims," asserting that cabinet members, including heads of agencies and local government leaders, continue to speak freely during sessions.

To support his position, the President shared video evidence of instances where he embraced opposing views during meetings. He emphasized that non-public sessions follow the televised portions to allow for deeper discussion. While the opposition People Power Party has criticized the broadcasts as a political tool that turns cabinet meetings into a "one-man show," the President maintains that transparency is essential for public engagement.