[Exclusive] Lee's Think Tank 'Growth and Integration' Has a Shadow Special Committee

Seongjanggwa Tonghap Launches on the 16th, Special Committee Remains Undisclosed
Key Role in Developing Core Pledges... "Handling Sensitive Issues"

It has been identified that the policy development think tank 'Seongjanggwa Tonghap' of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has a core pledge development organization that was not disclosed at the launch ceremony.

Yonhap News

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 18th, Seongjanggwa Tonghap has a confidential special committee. A representative of Seongjanggwa Tonghap responded "Yes" when asked if there was an undisclosed special committee.

Seongjanggwa Tonghap is Lee Jae-myung's campaign think tank chaired by former Korea Development Institute (KDI) Graduate School of International Studies Dean Yoo Jong-il, involving about 500 experts from various fields. Participants include Heo Min, former Vice President of Chonnam National University (Standing Co-Representative), Kim Yang-hee, Professor of Economics and Finance at Daegu University, Jang Byung-tak, Director of Seoul National University AI Research Institute, and Kim Jin-ah, Co-Representative of the Language and Diplomacy (LD) Department at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Seongjanggwa Tonghap has publicly announced 34 divisions including artificial intelligence (AI), defense, science and technology, growth strategy, and economic policy, along with the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of each division. However, on the day of the launch ceremony on the 16th, the special committee was not separately disclosed.

The special committee is known to play a key role within Seongjanggwa Tonghap, such as proposing core pledges. The reason Seongjanggwa Tonghap has rapidly become a focal point of interest in the June 3 presidential election is that it is perceived as an organization where one can preview former leader Lee’s national governance plans, who is leading the polls as the sole frontrunner. Although the central party’s election committee is yet to be formed and the process of drafting pledges remains while the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate has not been finalized, considering the high likelihood of Lee passing the party primary, his national blueprint can be glimpsed through Seongjanggwa Tonghap.

Moreover, since the June 3 presidential election requires immediate governance from June 4 without a presidential transition committee, the process of organically linking and finalizing pledges must be prepared in advance. Seongjanggwa Tonghap is reported to be playing a role related to this.

The special committee, which is the subject of attention, is divided into detailed agendas, and it is understood that chairpersons have already been appointed for the respective organizations. A Seongjanggwa Tonghap official explained the reason for not disclosing the special committee at the launch ceremony, saying, "Because sensitive issues are being handled, it was not made public." In fact, Seongjanggwa Tonghap is known to be preparing blueprints on major current issues, such as strengthening the role of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and refining prosecution reform strategies that include separating investigation and prosecution. These issues are linked to measures for managing a state of emergency and could become major concerns in this presidential election.

Seongjanggwa Tonghap’s public policy activities are expected to begin on the 28th. On that day, the first policy forum will be held with the theme of exploring ways to enhance AI competitiveness. The forum will discuss overall AI policies including AI talent development, industry promotion, and funding procurement.