[Anchor]
Kim Ji-yong, head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, attended a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae for the first time. President Lee called for an investigation "without sanctuary," while the People Power Party sharpened its criticism, urging the agency to investigate Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party first.
Reporter Kim Jin-u reports.
[Reporter]
A Cabinet meeting was held yesterday (October 20) morning at Cheong Wa Dae, presided over by President Lee Jae-myung.
Since the official launch of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency on October 2, an acting head had attended twice, but yesterday, Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural head who received his appointment certificate, attended.
This marks the first time since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration that the official head of an investigative agency has attended a Cabinet meeting.
President Lee asked Head Kim to "resolve the public's concerns and anxieties over prosecution reform."
[President Lee Jae-myung: "Without distinguishing between sides and without any sanctuary, please mobilize all investigative capabilities to punish sternly, thereby proving to the public the significance and necessity of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency's existence."]
[Kim Ji-yong / Head of Serious Crime Investigation Agency: "I will do my utmost to successfully establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, complete prosecution reform, and protect the rights and interests of the public. Thank you."]
However, regarding the head of an investigative agency attending Cabinet meetings, the opposition has criticized the move, arguing that it undermines political neutrality and investigative independence, noting that prosecutors general did not attend in the past.
In response, President Lee countered during a Cabinet meeting on October 13 to the effect that there is no issue because he does not intervene in individual cases, stating, "State administration naturally falls under the jurisdiction of the president and prime minister."
Nevertheless, controversy has continued, with the civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issuing a statement on October 16 that heads of related agencies such as the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Agency "should refrain from and avoid regular attendance at Cabinet meetings."
Head Kim Ji-yong vowed on his way to work the day before yesterday (October 19) to "put an end to the politicization of investigations." However, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok demanded thorough investigations into matters concerning Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party first, saying, "Before the ink on his appointment certificate has even dried, Head Kim attended the Cabinet meeting first; far from eradicating the 'politicization of investigations,' politics itself is about to turn into 'investigations.'"
Camera by Jeong Sang-bo | Video Editing by Yu Mi-ra | Graphics by Choi Jae-young
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