Lee Administration Likely to Officially Adopt "People's Sovereignty Government" Name... First Since Participatory Government

The government launched with the election of President Lee Jae Myung is showing signs of officially adopting the name "People's Sovereignty Government." If this happens, it will mark the revival of a government "nickname" for the first time since the administration of Roh Moo Hyun.

President Lee Jae Myung delivers the inauguration speech of the 21st president at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

An official from the presidential office said on June 4, "It appears likely that the new government will use the name 'People's Sovereignty Government'." President Lee had previously stated, even before the presidential election, that if a new administration were formed, it would be named the "People's Sovereignty Government."

Looking at previous administrations, the Kim Young Sam (YS) government used the name "Civilian Government," the Kim Dae Jung (DJ) government was called the "People's Government," and the Roh Moo Hyun administration was known as the "Participatory Government." However, governments launched after that did not use any particular nicknames.

On his first day in office, President Lee announced his initial appointments, including Kim Min Seok as the nominee for prime minister, and stated, "Today, together with individuals who possess loyalty, responsibility, and competence for the people, I am beginning a new chapter for the People's Sovereignty Government."