Government: “It is natural to participate in the Cabinet meeting of the Central Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Service…there is no discussion of individual cases.”
Government, “Government-wide collaboration is the natural responsibility of the Cabinet… We do not discuss command of individual cases.”
Quick Look
- In response to the criticism that the government's independence is being undermined by the participation of the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the Public Prosecution Service in the cabinet meeting, the government refuted some concerns, saying that government-wide cooperation for public safety and livelihood is a responsibility.
- The Prime Minister's Office announced that it would completely block discussions on investigation or prosecution of individual cases.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Concerns were raised about the loss of independence over the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the Public Prosecution Office and their participation in the State Council.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Sang-hyun = On the 7th, in response to some concerns that independence may be undermined by the participation of the heads of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the Public Prosecution Service in the Cabinet meeting, the government said, "Pop-government collaboration to protect people's safety and livelihood is the natural responsibility of the Cabinet."
The Prime Minister's Office announced this through materials distributed to the press corps that day, saying, "The current regulations of the Cabinet meeting allow the heads of the central administrative agencies and government officials in important positions to attend."
He went on to explain, "Not only the National Police Agency, but also all external agencies, including the Prosecutor's Office, the National Tax Service, the Korea Customs Service, the Military Manpower Administration, the National Fire Agency, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, are participating in the Cabinet meeting and sharing pending issues with related ministries. It is also natural for the newly launched Central Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Office to participate."
He also repeatedly emphasized, "The newly launched Central Investigation Office and Public Prosecution Office are also members of the government organization," and "It is the natural responsibility of the government to work closely with other agencies during the transition period of the criminal justice system to ensure that there are no gaps in responding to crimes for public safety and livelihood."
However, the Prime Minister's Office promised, "The involvement of political power in investigations or prosecution decisions must be completely prevented," and added, "To date, the Cabinet meeting has not addressed or discussed any matters related to the investigation or prosecution of specific individual cases, and will not discuss them in the future."
Open Questions
- What is the specific role of the Central Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Service in the future operation of the Cabinet?
