Presides Over Cabinet Meeting at Presidential Office
Orders Measures to Address NIRS Fire Incident
Instructs Ministries to Submit Results of Comprehensive Inspections Before Next Cabinet Meeting
Calls for Pre-Chuseok Safety and Price Stabil
President Lee Jaemyung has ordered all government ministries to conduct a comprehensive inspection of their security and public safety systems and submit their findings by the next cabinet meeting, in response to the recent fire at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS). With the fire breaking out just before the Chuseok holiday, he emphasized the need to make every effort to minimize public inconvenience and called for fundamental measures to be put in place.
During the cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan presidential office on September 30, President Lee stated, "Public inconvenience continues due to the aftermath of the NIRS fire. I urge each ministry to do its utmost to restore systems as quickly as possible and minimize confusion." He further noted, "There are concerns about crimes such as hacking or phishing exploiting the administrative network gap," and added, "Let this fire serve as a lesson. Please proactively inspect and address any shortcomings related to public safety and security."
President Lee also cited his early-term example of on-site inspections of drainage systems, instructing ministries to conduct a thorough review to determine whether affiliated agencies have made plans but failed to implement them. He remarked, "We often assume systems are operating normally, but that is frequently not the case. These are situations that are difficult to imagine or understand," and continued, "Each ministry should quickly and thoroughly check whether all facilities and systems related to security, public safety, and hazard prevention, as well as their manuals, are being properly maintained and followed. Please submit a written report before the next cabinet meeting."
Additionally, with the Chuseok holiday approaching, President Lee called for thorough safety measures and efforts to stabilize consumer prices. He said, "As this is a time when traffic increases nationwide and incidents and accidents are more frequent, please establish comprehensive safety measures, and especially ensure that emergency medical and fire response systems are thoroughly checked."
Regarding Chuseok holiday consumer prices, President Lee requested fundamental solutions to price stability. He stated, "I hope you will closely examine the entire process from production to consumption. Please pay the utmost attention to price stability, as it is directly linked to people's livelihoods." He added, "Please work to strengthen the stable supply base for agricultural products and devise practical measures to alleviate the hardship faced by vulnerable groups."
President Lee also urged for thorough follow-up measures regarding the outcomes of his recent visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly. He said, "Given that we have established partnerships with global companies for our economic growth, I ask the relevant ministries to fully implement the follow-up measures. Also, please prepare meticulously for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which is now just a month away."
Government Organization Act Amendment Centered on 'Abolition of the Prosecutors' Office' Passed by Cabinet
At the cabinet meeting, a bill to amend the Government Organization Act, centered on the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office, was reviewed and approved. As a result, the prosecution will lose its nameplate and direct investigative authority for the first time in 78 years. The amendment, which was passed by the National Assembly on September 26 under the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party, removes the direct investigative function of the Prosecutors' Office, renames it the Public Prosecution Office, and establishes a Serious Crimes Investigation Office. The amendment will take effect at the end of September next year, after a one-year grace period.
Additionally, the Ministry of Environment will be reorganized as the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment. All energy-related work previously handled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, except for nuclear power plant export duties, will be transferred to the new ministry. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, after this reorganization, will be renamed the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will also be renamed the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs. The dual role of the Minister of Education as Deputy Prime Minister will be abolished, and instead, the Minister of Science and ICT will serve concurrently as Deputy Prime Minister.
The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission Establishment Act, which changes the Korea Communications Commission to the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission, also passed the cabinet meeting. The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on September 27 under the leadership of the ruling party, stipulates that the commission will consist of seven members, including a chairperson, vice chairperson, and standing members, with the president nominating two members, including the chairperson.
However, controversy over the government reorganization is expected to continue even after the cabinet's approval. On September 29, Acting Prosecutor General No Manseok informed internal staff that the amendment abolishing the Prosecutors' Office could be unconstitutional. Article 89, Item 16 of the Constitution stipulates that the appointment of the Prosecutor General and others must be reviewed by the cabinet. In response, opposition parties and former prosecutors are calling for a constitutional petition.
There is also a need to clarify the issue of supplementary investigative authority. Within the ruling party, some believe that in order to thoroughly separate investigation and prosecution, the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority should also be revoked. However, prosecutors argue that the Public Prosecution Office must retain supplementary investigative authority to ensure smooth case handling. President Lee also hinted at the necessity of supplementary investigative authority during his 100th day in office press conference on September 11, stating, "Would it make sense to throw away the entire jar just because you dislike maggots?"
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