"Taking the People's Rebuke as a Bitter Medicine for a New Start... Must Remain Competent Until the End" (Summary)

Attended the First Briefing Meeting of the New Staff... Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, "I Will Do My Best"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 19th, President Moon Jae-in said, "I will regard the people's criticism as a bitter medicine, reflect on the overall state affairs, and use it as a turning point for a new start," urging the government to "remain uncorrupted until the end and be competent until the end." This was interpreted as an expression of his determination to overcome the defeat in the April 7 by-elections and the recent decline in approval ratings for state affairs, and to lead the government vigorously until the end of his term through reform.

President Moon held a senior secretaries and aides meeting in the afternoon and said in his opening remarks, "The government must calmly face what the problems and tasks are and work with a heavy sense of responsibility and extraordinary resolve."

President Moon emphasized the Moon Jae-in administration's efforts for a major transformation of the economic and social structure, inter-Korean peace dialogue efforts, and overcoming COVID-19, saying, "Our government, which was launched without a transition committee in a nationally serious situation, has never stopped and has only looked forward."

President Moon said, "Our national status has risen, and we have become a country continuously invited to the Group of Seven (G7) summits, and we have achieved the milestone of surpassing the G7 in per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first time," but added, "Nevertheless, the situation we face remains serious."

He continued, "The quarantine situation is still not reassuring, and there are many obstacles to herd immunity," adding, "The economy has clearly entered a recovery phase with improvements in employment, but more effort is needed for the people to feel warmth." He also cited housing stability as a difficult task.

President Moon said, "The people's evaluation is not based on yesterday's achievements but on today's problems and tomorrow's tasks," urging each ministry to "remain uncorrupted until the end and be competent until the end." He also added, "Carefully review policies from the people's perspective and devote all efforts to realizing the people's urgent demands."

He also emphasized communication with the opposition parties. President Moon said, "The government should strengthen policy cooperation with the ruling party, prioritize people's livelihood, and implement policies steadily," and added, "I hope you will also make efforts to communicate and cooperate with the opposition parties." In particular, President Moon instructed, "Please establish a special cooperation system with local governments where the heads have changed due to elections," urging communication with local governments in areas such as quarantine and real estate.

President Moon also urged, "Please further expand communication with companies," and said, "The government will closely communicate with companies and more responsibly promote national strategies to strongly support future industries, so companies should actively expand investment and create jobs."

Regarding the upcoming Korea-US summit next month, he stated, "Along with efforts to restart the stalled peace clock on the Korean Peninsula, we will devote ourselves to close cooperation on bilateral issues such as economic cooperation, COVID-19 response, and vaccine cooperation."

Meanwhile, at today's senior secretaries meeting, new aides including Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs; Lee Tae-han, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs; Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson; Seo Sang-beom, Legal Secretary; and Ki Mo-ran, Quarantine Planning Officer, attended together for the first time. The new Senior Secretary for Political Affairs said, "I will serve the President diligently and do my best," and asked, "Please support me a lot."