Kim Ji-yong, head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency (MCIA), attended a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae again today (October 27).

This marks his second attendance following October 20 since being appointed head of the MCIA. Regarding the controversy over the heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies attending Cabinet meetings, President Lee Jae-myung drew a line, stating that it has nothing to do with undermining political neutrality and calling it "normalizing what was abnormal."

At the Cabinet meeting that day, President Lee said, "There is much controversy over whether it is right or wrong for the head of the MCIA to attend the Cabinet meeting," adding, "There is no connection whatsoever between attending an open meeting as a legal duty and political neutrality."

This reaffirmed the stance of Cheong Wa Dae as the controversy over the heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies attending Cabinet meetings spread to the parliamentary audit.

However, as President Lee said, "There is no need to force attendance if there is other work to do," and "Especially since the MCIA is newly launched and lacks personnel, you do not have to come unless it is essential. Still, please come about once a month," it is interpreted that the likelihood of Chief Kim's weekly attendance becoming a regular routine has decreased.

In addition to Chief Kim, Acting Prosecutor General Lee Jeong-hyeon (Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecution Agency) and Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Kim Jong-cheol also attended the Cabinet meeting that day.

In recent parliamentary audits by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Public Administration and Security Committee, ruling and opposition party lawmakers clashed over the heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies attending Cabinet meetings.

Opposition lawmakers pointed out that it could harm the appearance of institutional neutrality and independence, while ruling party lawmakers countered that attendance is necessary to share the direction of state affairs and seek cooperation from relevant agencies.

Chief Kim Ji-yong maintains that he is aware of the relevant concerns and decided to attend after consultations with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

When it was pointed out at the comprehensive audit of the Public Administration and Security Committee the previous day that attending the Cabinet meeting was inappropriate, Chief Kim said, "I am aware of the concerns of some citizens," and made remarks to the effect that he had conveyed those concerns to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Regarding whether he will continue to attend Cabinet meetings, he avoided a direct answer by saying, "I think we will have to see," but attended again on this day.

Acting Chief Lee Jeong-hyeon stated at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's parliamentary audit on October 22 that he attended to broaden his understanding of state affairs overall.

He added, "I will ensure that the remarks concerning how the head of the Prosecution Agency attending Cabinet meetings could infringe upon fairness and neutrality are properly conveyed through the Ministry of Justice."

Cheong Wa Dae has consistently expressed its stance of maintaining the policy of Cabinet meeting attendance.

Regarding the MCIA chief's attendance at the Cabinet meeting, President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 13 that it is "a natural matter under the Constitution," and on October 21, he also posted on social media that "the argument against attendance is an unconstitutional pretense."

Under Cabinet meeting regulations, when deemed necessary by the chair, heads of offices that are central administrative agencies and public officials in important positions may be permitted to attend.

Even though criticisms regarding Cabinet meeting attendance continued during the parliamentary audit, the controversy is expected to persist as the heads of the MCIA and the Prosecution Agency attended together on this day.

Although the MCIA and the Prosecution Agency stated they decided to attend Cabinet meetings after consultations with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Justice, respectively, it is expected to be difficult to escape the controversy over independence and neutrality stemming from the supervisory and directorial authority of higher ministries.

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting that day, in response to President Lee Jae-myung's comment that the execution rate of criminal proceeds recovery was low, Acting Prosecutor General Lee Jeong-hyeon said, "The reality is that execution is not being carried out properly."

He explained, "Because personnel is severely lacking, as soon as our investigation wraps up, we plan to re-evaluate staffing and double or triple the execution personnel."

When President Lee remarked, "Because the Prosecution Agency is facing various critical views, if we say we are expanding staff, it might attract strange criticisms, but this is not prosecutor staff, right?", Acting Chief Lee replied, "It is a readjustment within the criminal legal affairs staff itself."

(Photo: Yonhap News)