President Lee Jae-myung again rejects criticism of partially open Cabinet meetings

President Lee Jae-myung again rejected criticism over opening parts of Cabinet meetings to the public. He called claims that public sessions prevent Cabinet members from speaking a lie and said he found it difficult to understand pressure to keep the meetings closed.

Lee expressed that position in a social media post on the 18th. Responding to claims that some Cabinet members find it difficult to speak candidly in open meetings, he argued that anyone who had watched the sessions would know the facts.

Lee said agency heads, commission chairs and local government heads, as well as Cabinet members, were expressing their views fully. He said he had deliberately expanded attendance substantially to broaden understanding of state affairs and hear a range of opinions.

Lee said every Cabinet meeting is followed by a closed session without exception. He added that he respects people who express opposing views and has emphasized that a properly functioning red team within an organization is necessary to prevent problems and accidents.

Lee had also argued on the 16th that it was illogical to say people could not speak because meetings were public. At the time, he said such claims appeared to reflect the wishes of those seeking to block public access to the meetings.