Science and Technology R&D and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Relocation Selected as Priority Tasks
Discussion on Reinstating the Bar Exam: "Will Determine Whether It Falls Within the Scope of Review"
Jo Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Planning Committee, is briefing on current issues at the Changseongdong Annex of Seoul City Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. 2025.6.23 Photo by Jo Yongjun
The National Planning Committee, which serves as the transition team for the Lee Jaemyung administration, has begun drafting a preliminary plan for government reorganization. Once the draft is prepared, it will be finalized through consultations with the presidential office.
On June 29, Jo Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Planning Committee, held a briefing at the Changseongdong Annex of the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "Discussions on government reorganization are being conducted through task force meetings, based on detailed deliberations by each subcommittee on pledged policy issues. A basic proposal will be developed based on the results of these discussions."
He explained, "A meeting is also scheduled for 3 p.m. today. Based on these meetings, we will prepare a draft, which will then go through consultations with the presidential office before being finalized."
Spokesperson Jo added, "The discussions on government reorganization have first involved detailed reviews by each subcommittee on matters related to policy pledges, as previously explained. Based on these discussions, a meeting will be held at the government reorganization task force level. Another discussion is scheduled for around 3 p.m. today, and this will help shape the framework of the basic proposal."
The National Planning Committee is continuing in-depth discussions on policies and pledges by each subcommittee, and is holding daily meetings at the task force level. The first draft has already been submitted to the "Five-Year State Affairs Task Force."
Jo stated, "We plan to compile the preliminary drafts by today, then organize the national agenda through working-level consultations, and enter into full-scale discussions."
The 2026 research and development (R&D) budget allocation plan for the science and technology sector, as well as the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, have been designated as "priority tasks" and are currently under discussion by each subcommittee, with plans to compile the results by the end of the day.
The National Planning Committee also requested presidential campaign pledge materials from each political party on June 27, aiming to incorporate bipartisan common pledges into the national agenda. Jo explained, "The intention is to pursue pledge cooperation centered on promises made jointly to the public."
Meanwhile, regarding the recent mention by President Lee Jaemyung of the possible reinstatement of the bar exam, the committee stated that it will review whether this issue falls within its purview.
On June 25, during a town hall meeting in Gwangju, President Lee stated, "There seem to be problems with the current law school system," and expressed concerns that "it could be turning into a system of privilege rather than a merit-based one." He added, "While it is difficult to discuss this as an official agenda item, I personally sympathize with some of the concerns and believe it is worth reviewing."
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