SCIA chief attends Cabinet meeting for 2nd time amid controversy

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SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Yonhap) -- Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), once again attended a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, despite opposition criticism that his presence could undermine the agency's neutrality and independence.

Kim's attendance marked the second time he had joined the weekly Cabinet meeting since heading the SCIA, which was launched Oct. 2 as part of a criminal justice overhaul stripping prosecutors of their independent investigative powers.

Kim Ji-yong (C), the inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, takes his seat to attend a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 27, 2026. (Yonhap)

Kim Jong-chul, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and acting Prosecutor General Lee Jeong-hyun also showed up at the Cabinet meeting.

During a recent parliamentary audit of the Lee administration, a heated debate erupted over whether it is appropriate for heads of investigative and prosecutorial agencies to attend Cabinet meetings.

Opposition lawmakers argued that their attendance could compromise their agencies' neutrality and independence, while ruling party lawmakers countered that their presence was necessary to coordinate on state affairs and ensure cooperation among relevant agencies.

SCIA chief Kim said during the audit session that he was aware of opposition parties' concerns and would decide whether to continue attending Cabinet meetings after consulting with the interior ministry.

President Lee has rejected the criticism from opposition lawmakers, saying in a social media post last Wednesday that their argument was unconstitutional and ran counter to the president's legal authority to oversee administrative affairs.

SCIA chief attends Cabinet meeting for 2nd time amid controversy

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首尔，10月27日（韩联社）——尽管反对派批评金智勇的出席可能会破坏严重犯罪调查厅（SCIA）的中立性和独立性，但这位SCIA的首任厅长周二再次出席了由总统李在明主持的内阁会议。

金正恩的出席标志着他自担任最高刑事司法委员会主席以来第二次参加每周的内阁会议。最高刑事司法委员会于10月2日成立，是刑事司法改革的一部分，旨在剥夺检察官的独立调查权。

2026年10月27日，首任重案搜查厅厅长金智龙（中）在首尔青瓦台出席内阁会议。（韩联社）

韩国国家警察厅代理厅长金钟哲和代理检察长李正铉也出席了内阁会议。

在最近一次国会审计李光耀政府期间，关于调查和检控机构负责人是否适合参加内阁会议，爆发了激烈的辩论。

反对派议员认为他们的出席可能会损害其机构的中立性和独立性，而执政党议员则反驳说，他们的出席对于协调国家事务和确保相关机构之间的合作是必要的。

国家审计署署长金在审计会议上表示，他了解反对党的担忧，将在与内政部协商后决定是否继续参加内阁会议。

李显龙总统驳斥了反对派议员的批评，他在上周三的社交媒体帖子中表示，他们的论点违宪，与总统监督行政事务的合法权力相悖。

最高情报局局长在争议声中第二次出席内阁会议