[Yongsan Report] Meeting after Meeting... Policy Office "Even 24 Hours Is Not Enough"

President's Office Policy Office Participation Meetings Increase Sharply
Role Becomes Crucial Amid Recent Policy Discrepancies Controversy
Policy Issues Pile Up Including Inflation, Industry, and Low Birthrate

Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office at the Presidential Office, is briefing on the controversy over overseas direct purchase (direct import) at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, the Presidential Office has seen a significant increase in meetings involving the Policy Office. Just this month, new or regular meetings such as the Livelihood Price Task Force (TF), National Strategic Industry TF, High-level Party-Government Policy Council, High-level Party-Government Council, and Economic Issue Review Meeting have been established. Although the attendees and purposes vary slightly, all these meetings include Policy Office Chief Seong Tae-yoon, who discusses major policies and current issues. As a result, there is even a saying within the office: "One meeting ends, another meeting begins."

In particular, recently, the Policy Office Chief and the subordinate chiefs of economy, society, and science and technology have been holding tea-time meetings two to three times a week in the early morning to discuss current issues. A senior official of the Presidential Office stated, "Since Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok took office, the chief secretary-led senior officials' meetings have been shortened, and separate meetings are held once more for matters under the Policy Office and the Secretary Office," adding, "The intention is to discuss matters more efficiently by each office."

Previously, there was only the senior officials' tea-time meeting led by the chief secretary, but now a separate tea-time meeting for the Policy Office Chief and subordinate chiefs has been created to manage policy areas more meticulously. This change reflects the role distinction between political affairs and policy, established after Chief Jeong, a five-term veteran lawmaker, and Chief Seong, an economist, assumed their positions in April and January of this year, respectively.

Consequently, evaluations inside and outside the Presidential Office indicate that the presence of the Policy Office is growing. Another Presidential Office official said, "Since the establishment of the Policy Office, the President has instructed to frequently provide briefings and communicate with the media regarding current issues and policies," adding, "In fact, briefings by not only the Policy Office Chief but also the subordinate chiefs have increased significantly."

As the importance of policy has been further emphasized following the April 10 general election defeat, the role of the Policy Office is expected to grow for the time being. Recently, controversies over 'discord' among the party, government, and the Presidential Office arose concerning sensitive policies such as the ban on overseas direct purchases, conditional driver's license issuance for the elderly, and the resumption of short selling in June, making coordination by the Presidential Office even more crucial. President Yoon Seok-yeol is also reported to have ordered more thorough prior policy reviews and public opinion gathering.

Furthermore, it is anticipated that a Low Birthrate Chief Office will soon be established under the Policy Office. With the creation of the Low Birthrate Chief Office, the Policy Office will expand to a four-chief system. It is expected to play a role in establishing a Low Birthrate Response Planning Department and formulating comprehensive measures to address the low birthrate issue.