Lee: Attendance of the chiefs of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Public Prosecution Office at a State Council of South Korea meeting is only natural under the Constitution

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung said on the 13th, in response to opposition criticism of the heads of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the Public Prosecution Office attending the State Council of South Korea, “There may be disagreement, but under the Government Organization Act and the Constitution, it is only natural.”
At a State Council of South Korea meeting he chaired at Cheong Wa Dae that day, President Lee said, “There seems to be criticism asking why the heads of the investigative and prosecution agencies are attending the State Council. I find it difficult to agree with that criticism,” and added this.
President Lee emphasized that there was no legal issue with the heads of investigative and prosecution agencies attending the State Council of South Korea, citing the Government Organization Act. He said, “Article 5 of the Government Organization Act defines central administrative agencies,” and explained, “As head of the government, the President directs and supervises the heads of all central administrative agencies in accordance with laws and regulations.”
He continued, “The Prime Minister, acting under the President’s orders, directs and supervises the ministers of the various administrative ministries and the heads of central administrative agencies,” and said, “State administration naturally falls under the jurisdiction of the President and the Prime Minister.”
He made clear his position that intervention in individual investigations should be distinguished from sharing the direction of government administration. President Lee said, “We do not get involved in the handling of individual cases,” and explained, “It is necessary for us to share our direction for running the government and to offer our opinions as well.”
He added, “While it is not desirable for us to dictate how individual cases should be handled, investigative agencies, too, are of course carrying out the work entrusted to them by the people for the people and the state.”
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