Lee Attempts to Restore Diplomacy with Special Envoys
Lee Eonju Likely to Lead US Envoy Delegation
Kim Minseok Implements "10X3 Plan"
"I Will Be the Cheerleader for the Civil Service"
The Lee Jaemyung administration is accelerating its domestic and international policy initiatives. President Lee Jaemyung is making final preparations to rapidly restore diplomatic relations by dispatching special envoys to 14 major countries. Prime Minister Kim Minseok is also taking the lead in managing key policy issues related to public welfare and overseeing the civil service.
Special Envoys to 14 Countries... Kim Chongin to the US, Chung Sye-kyun to Japan, Park Byeongseug to China Mentioned
Efforts to quickly restore Korea's diplomatic capabilities by sending special envoys to major countries are ongoing. President Lee is reportedly considering appointing former People Power Party emergency committee chair Kim Chongin as special envoy to the United States, and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun as special envoy to Japan. Former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeongseug is being mentioned as a candidate for special envoy to China. President Lee plans to send special envoys to a total of 14 countries to deliver his diplomatic messages and strengthen cooperation.
According to the ruling party on July 8, President Lee is considering including Kim Chongin, Lee Eonju (Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party), and lawmaker Kim Wooyoung in the initial US special envoy delegation. Lee Eonju is reportedly the leading candidate to head the US envoy delegation.
The outlines of special envoys to other countries, including Japan and China, are also gradually emerging. For the Japanese envoy, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is reportedly under strong consideration. Lawmaker Lee Jaejeong, a three-term member of the Democratic Party, is also expected to be included in the delegation led by Chung. Chung Sye-kyun is a veteran politician who served as Speaker of the National Assembly during the first half of the 20th National Assembly and as the 46th Prime Minister during the Moon Jae-in administration. During the last presidential election, he served as a standing advisor to the Democratic Party’s central election committee, contributing to the victory.
For the Chinese envoy, former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeongseug is being considered. Former Speaker Kim Jinpyo is mentioned as a candidate for special envoy to Australia, while lawmaker Park Jie-won is being considered for Poland. Former Legislation Minister Lee Seokyeon is reportedly set for Germany, lawmaker Choo Mi-ae for the United Kingdom, former Justice Minister Kang Geumsil for France, and former Environment Minister Yoon Yeojoon for the European Union (EU).
Prime Minister Kim Minseok: "I Will Be the Cheerleader"
Prime Minister Kim Minseok is implementing what he calls the "10X3 Plan," which outlines his work agenda for his first month in office. Kim emphasized, "I will serve as the cheerleader who boosts the morale of the civil service, in accordance with the President’s directive."
According to a press release from the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the "10X3 Plan" details Kim’s 30-day work schedule. During the first 10 days, he will focus on preventing various accidents, including natural disasters such as heat waves and heavy rain, as well as industrial accidents. On the day before his inauguration ceremony at the Government Complex Sejong, Kim visited the nearby National Museum of Urban Architecture construction site to inspect the working conditions of laborers during the heat wave. He also announced plans to check preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be held in Gyeongju at the end of October, and to formulate measures to address social isolation and prevent suicide.
The next 10 days will be devoted to reviewing the civil service system. Kim stated, "I will work to resolve the aftereffects of the recent internal unrest in the civil service, and encourage and reward creative and proactive proposals and discussions. I will ensure that no government agency or committee is marginalized or becomes passive."
The final 10 days are expected to be dedicated to policy review. Kim said he would develop key public welfare policies such as "hearty lunches for office workers" and improve the delivery system for public welfare recovery support payments to ensure they reach all citizens. To increase public participation and understanding of major government initiatives, he plans to operate the social dialogue platform "K Toronnara" on a biweekly basis. He also pledged to spread a culture of open discussion across ranks within the civil service. Additionally, through regular "Sejong Weeks," during which he will focus his work in Sejong, he aims to concentrate national administrative power in the central region.
Kim declared, "Along with active ruling-party and government consultations to realize the philosophy of a government based on popular sovereignty, I will open the door to all productive and bipartisan proposals, and strengthen policy cooperation with lawmakers. I am determined to work as if the first 30 days were 300, to lay the foundation for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."
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