Presidential Office Staff Collapses from Overwork... President Lee Says "I Feel a Heavy Sense of Responsibility"

President Lee Expresses Respect for Hard Work and Dedication
"Health and Safety Are Paramount... Take Care of Yourselves First"

President Lee Jae Myung stated on June 12 regarding the incident in which a staff member at the Presidential Office collapsed from overwork, "I feel both deep regret and a heavy sense of responsibility."

On this day, through his Facebook page, President Lee said, "I have just received news that a staff member at the Presidential Office collapsed from overwork. Please do not worry about your assigned duties and focus solely on your recovery," expressing his concern.

President Lee Jae Myung is presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee emphasized, "While the mission entrusted to you as public servants is important, above all else, your health and safety are paramount," and added, "I earnestly urge you to take care of yourselves first."

He continued, "The President alone can never achieve results. Only when public officials work together with one heart and join forces can we create a better future for the people," and added, "To all the staff members at the Presidential Office and public officials in each ministry who are fulfilling their duties in their respective positions, I sincerely thank you. I express my respect for your hard work and dedication."

According to the Presidential Office, at around 9 p.m. the previous day, a staff member in his 40s, referred to as Mr. A, collapsed while on duty and was transported to the hospital. Mr. A is affiliated with the National Tax Service and is currently dispatched to the Presidential Office to assist with personnel verification tasks. A Presidential Office official explained, "The staff member has now regained consciousness and will undergo a thorough medical examination."

Since the 21st presidential election was held as a by-election, President Lee has been carrying out intensive work from the moment he took office to minimize any administrative vacuum. On his first day in office, June 4, he worked late into the night presiding over an emergency economic task force meeting, and the following day, he continued with nearly four hours of intensive meetings, having only a single roll of gimbap for lunch.