'Asked Gemini... Claim That Head of Major Crimes Investigation Agency Cannot Attend Cabinet Meeting Is Unreasonable'

[Anchor]

Regarding criticism that it is inappropriate for heads of investigative agencies, such as the head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, to attend Cabinet meetings, President Lee Jae-myung pointed out that "the claim that they cannot attend is unconstitutional obstinacy and sophistry." Another debate has ensued as President Lee mentioned that he had also asked an artificial intelligence model about the matter.

Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

Amid controversy surrounding the first-time attendance of Kim Ji-yong, head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung the day before yesterday (October 20), President Lee posted a series of messages on social media yesterday.

Stating that he had asked Google's artificial intelligence model "Gemini," he shared the response that "the claim that the heads of the Public Prosecution Agency and the Major Crimes Investigation Agency cannot attend Cabinet meetings is unconstitutional obstinacy" and "sophistry that directly denies the President's executive supervisory authority and government command structure stipulated by the Constitution and the Government Organization Act."

In a subsequent post, President Lee wrote that both the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Agency are merely agencies under the direction of the President, Prime Minister, and ministers, adding that the public does not need to worry because he will not direct investigations into specific cases.

He also pointed out that democratic control is just as important as operational independence, and sharing the direction of state affairs is necessary, calling the special treatment of investigative agencies as special entities a wrong practice of the past.

[President Lee Jae-myung (Cabinet meeting on October 13): "Of course, I do not get involved in the handling of detailed cases. However, it is very important to share the general direction or policies of state affairs."]

According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, there has not been a single precedent of the Prosecutor General attending a Cabinet meeting over the past 25 years since 2000.

The People Power Party criticized the move, asking since when AI answers have come to substitute for the legitimacy of state administration. One lawmaker wrote on social media, "I received an answer from Gemini that asking Gemini about major national affairs and using it as a basis for legitimacy is an inappropriate act."

In addition, the presidential office had previously criticized the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court when pointing out his refusal of a re-nomination recommendation, claiming it broke with existing conventions; now, claims are emerging that a different standard other than convention is being applied to this controversy, suggesting the related debate is likely to continue.

(Camera: Jeong Sang-bo, Yoon Hyeong | Video Editing: Wi Won-yang | Graphics: Yang Ki-tae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.