Politics · South Korea · 7 hrs ago
South Korea’s Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief attends four straight cabinet meetings
South Korea’s Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief Kim Ji-yong attended four consecutive cabinet meetings, most recently on Nov.
10.
President Lee Jae-myung appointed Kim on Oct.
19, and he attended his first meeting the next day.
The meetings are led by the president and include officials from government departments and agencies.
In earlier administrations, investigative agency heads did not attend, in part to respect the independence of investigations.
Lee has said agency heads do not have to attend when they are busy, but also suggested they come about once a month.
The opposition People Power Party says their presence could undermine investigative independence, while Kim has acknowledged concerns about neutrality.
Kim said he would consult the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, but the sources do not say what will happen next.
Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief Kim Ji-yong attended a cabinet meeting on November 10, his fourth consecutive meeting since taking office.
President Lee Jae-myung had said agency chiefs did not need to attend every meeting if they were busy, but encouraged them to come about once a month.
Kim said at a parliamentary hearing that he was aware of concerns that attending could affect the agency’s neutrality and would consult with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The People Power Party criticized the attendance, saying it was inappropriate for an investigative agency chief whose independence should be protected.
- Who
- Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief Kim Ji-yong attended. President Lee Jae-myung chaired the meeting.
- What
- Kim attended his fourth consecutive cabinet meeting since taking office.
- When
- November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The Blue House in South Korea.
- Why
- The article does not state a specific reason for Kim’s attendance. Lee had said agency chiefs should attend about once a month.
President Lee Jae-myung
People Power Party
Attendance
President Lee Jae-myung
Lee described agency chiefs’ participation as a normalization of practice, while saying they need not attend when busy.
People Power Party
The party said attendance was inappropriate for investigative agency chiefs whose independence should be protected.
Kim received his appointment letter from President Lee.
Kim attended his first cabinet meeting as agency chief.
At a parliamentary committee hearing, Kim said he was aware of concerns about neutrality and would consult with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Lee said agency chiefs need not attend when busy but should come about once a month.
Kim attended another cabinet meeting.
Kim attended his fourth consecutive cabinet meeting since taking office.
- Agency chief
- Kim Ji-yong
- Appointment
- October 19, 2026
- First cabinet meeting
- October 20, 2026
- Consecutive meetings attended
- 4
- Latest meeting
- November 10, 2026, at the Blue House
What people are saying
There is no need to come forcibly
Even so, come about once a month
Far from the politicization of investigations, politics itself is about to become investigation