First Cabinet Meeting Presided Over After New Appointments
President Lee: "Special Sacrifices Must Be Met with Sufficient Compensation and Honors"
President Lee: "In Security, Winning Without Fighting Is Crucial"
President Lee Jaemyung has ordered a renewed review of whether compensation and honors for those who contributed to the nation are sufficient, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the 6·25 War, which is just one day away. He also reiterated that the most important aspect of national security is "winning without fighting." Regarding the main agenda item of the day, measures to address inflation, he urged that the vulnerable should not suffer increased hardship.
On June 24, President Lee convened a Cabinet meeting and pointed out, "When it comes to whether we have provided adequate compensation to individuals, groups, or regions who made special sacrifices for the entire community, I believe we have not done enough." He continued, "Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the 6·25 War, and I hope we can reexamine whether those who made special sacrifices to defend the Republic of Korea are being properly compensated and honored, and start by finding feasible ways to provide further support."
President Lee's remarks came one day before the 75th anniversary of the 6·25 War. He said, "Whenever we are inevitably forced to fight, it is always the powerless citizens who end up on the front lines," adding, "There have been many cases where our people have sacrificed themselves while fighting to protect the community." Regarding criticism that the level of support for those who contributed to the nation is insufficient, he commented, "Some in our society believe that the cunning manage to escape while only the powerless are sacrificed. It seems that this sense of injustice is widespread."
Since his presidential campaign, President Lee has pledged to strengthen honors for national contributors and their families. In his Memorial Day address on June 6, he mentioned policies such as support for spouses of veterans, strengthening the healthcare system for national contributors, and enhancing recognition for veterans and discharged soldiers. Establishing a new livelihood support allowance for spouses of veterans was also one of his campaign pledges.
President Lee continued, "The issue of security, which is about protecting the values of our community, cannot be emphasized enough," and emphasized, "While we tend to think that winning by fighting is important in terms of security, in reality, winning without fighting is even more crucial." During his first visit to a frontline military unit as president on June 13, he also stated, "Winning without fighting is important."
Regarding inflation measures, President Lee said, "The entire world, including the Republic of Korea, is facing very difficult circumstances," and noted, "Crises inflict the greatest pain on the poor and powerless." He added, "Today, as we discuss measures for price stability and public welfare, I hope this will be an opportunity to ensure that the vulnerable do not suffer even greater hardship through careful consideration."
President Lee also emphasized the role of public officials by referencing the "pachoseon" from Journey to the West. The pachoseon is a fan wielded by the wife of the Bull Demon King in the story, which causes strong winds and rainstorms whenever it is waved. President Lee explained, "When the pachoseon is waved, the world is turned upside down. While it may seem like a small moment to you, the fate of the nation can rise or fall as a result." He called for a strong sense of responsibility, noting that the decisions of public officials have a significant impact on the people.
This Cabinet meeting was the first to be held after the appointment of ministers for 11 ministries?including Defense, Foreign Affairs, Unification, Employment, Environment, Science and ICT, Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Gender Equality and Family, Oceans and Fisheries, SMEs and Startups, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs?was finalized on June 23. At the meeting, 24 presidential decrees and one general agenda item were submitted. The agenda included a wide range of amendments, such as revisions to the regulation on the application of quota tariffs under Article 71 of the Customs Act, tax reforms, support for the people's economy, and improvements to industrial and environmental regulations.
If the proposed amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Individual Consumption Tax Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Transportation, Energy, and Environment Tax Act?measures to extend the reduction of fuel taxes and individual consumption taxes on automobiles, which were set to expire at the end of this month?are passed, the fuel tax reduction will be extended until August 31. The current reduction rates are 10% for gasoline and 15% for diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) butane. The government has been extending the fuel tax reduction since the end of 2021 due to high inflation and other factors, and this marks the 16th extension.
Other agenda items included amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Income Tax Act to rationalize the tax-exempt requirements for savings insurance, and to the Enforcement Decree of the Restriction of Special Taxation Act to introduce a new tax credit for e-sports tournament operating expenses. Measures to ease the burden on industry were also included, such as extending the temporary reduction period for petroleum and gas surcharges and easing penalties for violations of the Free Trade Zone Act by replacing criminal penalties with fines. In the welfare and health sector, amendments were proposed to extend the validity period of long-term care insurance grades for the elderly to reduce the burden on beneficiaries, and to expand the obligation to establish cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease management plans to local governments. In the environmental sector, proposals included strengthening fines to prevent the distribution of illegal emissions parts and granting special exemptions to extend the installation period for Internet of Things measurement devices.
Other agenda items aimed at revitalizing livelihoods and the local economy included the establishment of new rural settlement districts, expanding support for young merchants in traditional markets, and mandating surveys of support for small and medium-sized enterprise personnel. The government also plans to process a commendation proposal at the Cabinet meeting to award orders and decorations to more than 7,000 public officials who have contributed to national development and security.
Meanwhile, President Lee did not make any direct reference to the Middle East conflict in his opening remarks that day. This appears to reflect a situation in which concerns about the conflict have somewhat eased after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced via social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a "complete and comprehensive ceasefire." According to President Trump, the ceasefire will begin at around 1:00 p.m. Korea time. If Iran first halts military action, Israel will follow by ceasing its own military operations 12 hours later.
Previously, as tensions between Israel and Iran showed signs of escalating, President Lee had instructed his aides to prepare countermeasures. This is because instability in global foreign exchange, financial, and capital markets caused by war could destabilize domestic oil prices and overall inflation. At the first presidential chief aides' meeting held on June 23, President Lee said, "The situation in the Middle East is extremely urgent," and called for "all ministries to establish emergency response systems." Notably, with the supplementary budget bill already submitted to the National Assembly, President Lee stated, "If additional measures are needed, we will actively prepare them and cooperate with the National Assembly."
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