Presidential office pushes back on reports of cabinet opposition to live-streamed meetings

Sung Ki-hong, chief communications secretary at Cheong Wa Dae [Yonhap]
Sung Ki-hong, chief communications secretary at Cheong Wa Dae [Yonhap]

Cheong Wa Dae said Friday that concerns raised by the commander of US Forces Korea over the conditions for transferring wartime operational control to South Korea "can be resolved," after Gen. Xavier Brunson said the benchmarks had changed and had not yet been met.

Sung Ki-hong, chief communications secretary at Cheong Wa Dae, made the remarks during an appearance on the YouTube channel "Jang Yun-seon's Chwijaepyeonuijeom," saying that "whether we independently hold operational control is one indicator of self-reliant national defense."

Sung went on to say that "South Korea and the United States have reached a principled agreement on transferring operational control," adding that "we are continuing consultations to align the timing as closely as possible with the established target."

Sung also addressed reports from Thursday that some cabinet members had voiced opposition to live-streaming cabinet meetings, saying the coverage was "exaggerated." He added that concerns about the live broadcasts hindering free debate "seem misplaced."

He went on to say that "rather than open meetings fundamentally shutting down debate, the president hopes that holding sessions in a public forum will encourage more active discussion — with some sessions open and others closed depending on the issue."

Sung said the president had also told cabinet members at Tuesday's meeting that "a minister who voices dissent is a courageous minister, and a truly dedicated one," urging them to "speak up with opposing views at any time without hesitation."


sang@heraldcorp.com