[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung has stated that he "cannot agree" with media reports conveying arguments from some circles that Cabinet meetings should be closed to the public. President Lee made it clear that matters unsuitable for public discussion can be addressed in closed sessions or communicated individually, emphasizing that openness is the principle for all administration, including state affairs.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan reports.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung posted a message titled "Regarding the Controversy over Opening Cabinet Meetings to the Public" on social media this morning (October 16), stating, "I cannot agree with the argument from some circles to make all Cabinet meetings closed to the public."

President Lee stated, "Minutes of Cabinet meetings have previously been made public as well, and openness is the principle for all administration, including state affairs." He added that, aside from a minister saying at a dinner hosted by the prime minister that "it is difficult because Cabinet meetings are open to the public," reports claiming that ministers "recommended keeping them closed or bringing up social media appear to be untrue."

The president directly rebutted recent media reports that some ministers had suggested making Cabinet meetings private during a dinner hosted by the prime minister.

President Lee explained that Cabinet meetings are followed by separate closed-door sessions, where matters requiring confidentiality or issues that could put Cabinet members in an awkward position are discussed. He stated, "Words that cannot be spoken in public can be shared during closed sessions, and if there are still things that are difficult to say, I encourage them to call or message me individually."

He continued, "A good friend is a friend who offers harsh advice," adding, "If a public official does not point out problems that another public official needs to correct, it is either an evasion of responsibility stemming from selfishness or something that goes against the public trust." He emphasized, "I am confident that, at least under this administration, there is no Cabinet member who cannot say what needs to be said to the president."

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Nam Il)