President Lee Expresses Deep Regret Over False Claims That Opening Cabinet Meetings Silences Ministers

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung said on the 16th, responding to claims from some quarters that Cabinet members cannot speak freely because Cabinet meetings are open, “I express my deep regret over the false claims that opening Cabinet meetings is silencing Cabinet members.”
In a post titled “On the controversy over opening Cabinet meetings” on X (formerly Twitter) that day, President Lee wrote, “We are opening part of Cabinet meetings to the people, who are sovereign, and I cannot agree with calls from some quarters to keep all of them closed.”
His remarks were seen as a direct rebuttal to criticism that opening Cabinet meetings inhibits ministers from speaking, and as a clear expression of his determination to maintain the principle of openness to enhance transparency and accountability in government.
Addressing some recent reports on the issue, President Lee explained, “According to the reports, apart from one minister saying at a dinner hosted by the prime minister that ‘it is difficult with Cabinet meetings being open,’ reports that a minister urged that the meetings not be made public, as well as other reports about SNS (social networking services), appear to be untrue.”
He added, “Cabinet meetings have a public session followed by a separate closed session, and matters requiring security or that could put ministers in a difficult position are discussed in the closed session. Openness is the principle for all administrative affairs, including the conduct of state affairs, and minutes of Cabinet meetings have been made public for some time.”
He also addressed concerns that the president’s questions at Cabinet meetings could put pressure on ministers. President Lee said, “During discussions in open sessions, ministers may feel uncomfortable with the president’s questions to check the facts. But it is only natural for a minister in charge to know their own work like the back of their hand. Ministers may not know detailed figures, so they cannot know everything. As I do, they can simply say when they don’t know something. I have said many times: Please don’t submit false reports or pretend to know something you don’t, as that gets in the way of discussion and judgment.”
President Lee emphasized, “Open meetings are also an opportunity to show the public the ministers’ dedication and capabilities. Many Cabinet members make good use of them. It is also untrue that they cannot speak because the meetings are open. There is always a closed session afterward, so anything that cannot be said in an open meeting can be said in the closed one.”
He also said, “I encourage them to call or message me individually if there is something difficult to say even in a closed meeting, and they can say whatever they wish at individual lunches or meetings. I am confident that, at least in this administration, there are no Cabinet members who cannot say to the president what they should.”

President Lee pointed out, “Moreover, saying ‘I can’t speak because the meeting is public’ makes no logical sense, since a closed meeting follows. It seems to be wishful thinking on the part of those who want to block public meetings.”
He added, “Just as intermediaries may be inconvenienced by direct transactions between producers and consumers, there are likely many people who are uncomfortable with direct communication between the public and elected officials. I understand that fully. But it is difficult to agree with blocking direct transactions just to guarantee distribution margins.”
President Lee emphasized, “We are increasing the number of participants by revising enforcement decrees so that we can hear more opinions and counterarguments and hold substantive discussions. The public is also seeing for itself instances of people confidently challenging the president’s views.”
He added, “A good friend is one who tells you hard truths. Moreover, if a public official entrusted by the people with a responsibility believes another public official has something that needs to be corrected but does not point it out, that is either an evasion of responsibility rooted in selfishness or a betrayal of the public’s trust.”
President Lee reiterated his position that the principle of open Cabinet meetings should be maintained and concluded his post by asking, “What do you think?”

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