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South Korean President Lee cabinet meeting controversies

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2026-10-28 08:42 UTC → 2026-10-28 16:24 UTC · added ~~removed~~

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has faced political scrutiny regarding the format and composition of cabinet meetings. Initially, controversy arose over the practice of live-streaming portions of these sessions. While some ministers reportedly expressed concerns that broadcasting stifles open debate, President Lee defended the practice as essential for transparency, dismissing claims that it prevents dissenting opinions. Regarding the broadcasts, President Lee has rejected reports that approximately ten ministers expressed concerns to Prime Minister Han Seong-sook regarding the difficulty of offering dissenting views. He dismissed these reports as ‘false claims,’ asserting that cabinet members continue to speak freely. To support this, the President shared video evidence of instances where he embraced opposing views, noting that non-public sessions follow televised portions to allow for deeper discussion. However, the opposition People Power Party has criticized the broadcasts as a political tool that turns meetings into a ‘one-man show.’ Debate has also shifted toward the presence of investigative agency heads at State Council meetings. President Lee defended the attendance of officials from the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), the Prosecutor General, and the National Police Agency, describing the practice as a ‘normalization of the abnormal.’ He argued that attending public meetings is a legal obligation and that the public forum actually reduces the likelihood of improper or illegal instructions. In recent developments, Lee reiterated that the attendance of the head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency (MCIA), Kim Ji-yong, is a legal duty under presidential supervision and does not compromise political neutrality. He suggested the MCIA head attend roughly once a month to balance administrative duties with operational needs. Additionally, Lee has addressed broader prosecutorial reform controversies, warning against ‘irresponsible extremism’ where individuals prioritize political visibility over substantive reform.

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