Why did Kim Ji-yong’s attendance at the Cabinet meeting raise political neutrality concerns?

Critics said weekly in-person meetings with President Lee Jae Myung could place political pressure on investigative agencies whose officials, including presidential office officials, may themselves become subjects of investigations or prosecutions. They also noted that the prosecutor general had not traditionally attended Cabinet meetings.

When was the Serious Crime Investigation Agency launched and what changed under the criminal justice overhaul?

The SCIA launched Oct. 2 as part of an overhaul that removed prosecutors’ independent investigative powers. The reform shifted investigative responsibilities to agencies such as the SCIA and police, while prosecutors’ role focused on indictments and court proceedings.

Which other law enforcement chiefs have attended Lee Jae Myung’s Cabinet meetings?

The prosecutor general began attending after Lee expanded participation early this year to include heads of government agencies. Kim Jong-chul, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, has also attended, departing from the police agency’s previous practice.

Inaugural SCIA chief attends Cabinet meeting amid political neutrality concerns

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Summary

Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, attended President Lee Jae Myung’s Cabinet meeting in Seoul Tuesday, prompting concerns about the agency’s political neutrality. Kim received his appointment letter Monday and was scheduled to hold his inauguration ceremony Tuesday afternoon. The SCIA launched Oct. 2 after prosecutors lost their independent investigative powers. Critics and a civic group said regular Cabinet attendance by investigative chiefs could expose the agencies to political pressure.

Key Facts

Kim said before his appointment that he would decide whether to attend Cabinet meetings after reviewing relevant laws and consulting concerned agencies.
The SCIA was created as part of a criminal justice overhaul that removed prosecutors’ independent investigative powers.
President Lee expanded Cabinet participation early this year to include heads of government agencies, including the prosecutor general.
Acting Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Jong-chul has also been attending Cabinet meetings, departing from the agency’s previous practice.
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy called for political neutrality and independence to be guaranteed for investigative and prosecutorial authorities.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 20, 2026 11:29 am KST

Kim Ji-yong, left, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, and Kim Jong-chul, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, attend a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), attended a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae Myung for the first time Tuesday, sparking controversy over the agency's political neutrality.

Kim, who received his letter of appointment from Lee on Monday, was scheduled to hold his inauguration ceremony Tuesday afternoon. The SCIA was launched Oct. 2 as part of an overhaul of the criminal justice system that removed prosecutors' independent investigative powers.

Kim emphasized the agency's political neutrality and independence before his appointment, saying he would decide whether to attend the Cabinet meeting after reviewing relevant laws and consulting with concerned agencies.

Concerns have been raised that the participation of investigative agency and prosecution chiefs in Cabinet meetings could undermine their political neutrality and independence.

In principle, even officials at the presidential office can be subject to investigation and prosecution, and holding weekly in-person meetings with the president itself could place political pressure on the agencies, critics say.

In the past, the prosecutor general did not attend Cabinet meetings, but the practice changed early this year after Lee expanded participation to include the heads of government agencies, including the top prosecutor.

Kim Jong-chul, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, has also been attending Cabinet meetings, departing from the agency's previous practice.

In a recent public statement, a local civic group, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, voiced opposition to the practice, saying the political neutrality of investigative and prosecutorial authorities must be guaranteed.

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