[First Perspective] The Lee Jaemyung Administration After the 'National Appointment Ceremony'

Leadership on the Ground Highlighted Over 80 Days
Concerns Remain Over Personnel Issues and Message Confusion
Official Launch of the 'People's Sovereignty Government' Declared

The operation of a nation resembles that of an orchestra. After the 'Prelude' in an orchestral performance, the conductor must prove the 'main theme' promised in the overture to the audience through the actual performance. A great conductor heightens expectations during the overture and delivers catharsis in the main theme that exceeds those expectations.

The first 80 days of the Lee Jaemyung administration were akin to a 'prelude.' The reality left behind by the '12·3 Martial Law' was so harsh that it would not be an exaggeration to say President Lee Jaemyung managed to pull through by virtue of his own abilities. The Lee administration, which was launched on June 4 this year without a presidential transition committee, moved swiftly to address the aftermath. It was only on the 13th, when the Presidential Policy Planning Committee announced 123 national policy tasks, that a basic framework was established. The 'National Appointment Ceremony' held on the 15th was a declaration before the people, the ultimate appointing authority, marking the official start of state administration.

The initial steps were fast and straightforward. Through the public disclosure of Cabinet meetings, senior aides' meetings, and emergency economic meetings, the administration emphasized data-driven situational awareness and the establishment of discipline among public officials. At a roundtable on serious industrial accidents, President Lee directly summoned CEOs and questioned them in detail about night shifts, the 12-hour shift system, and the root causes of recurring incidents. President Lee's ability to identify the core of problems on site and assign responsibility and roles became a topic of discussion.

However, there were also signs of instability. The successive withdrawals of former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Oh Kwangsu, former Secretary for National Integration Kang Junwook, former Minister of Education nominee Lee Jinsook, and former Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Kang Sunwoo exposed weaknesses in the personnel vetting system. Although the administration's cross-partisan appointments were seen as a positive, it failed to build trust with its 'first appointments.'

Coordination with the ruling party was not smooth. When the presidential office requested a resubmission of the confirmation report for nominee Kang, who had been embroiled in controversy over alleged staff abuse, and continued with the appointment process, the party was sharply divided between those urging her resignation and those supporting her appointment. Shortly after a party leadership candidate posted on social media calling for Kang's resignation, she voluntarily withdrew her nomination, bringing the matter to a close for the time being. However, the process left many questions unanswered.

There was also confusion in policy and message management. Regarding the '6·27 Real Estate Loan Regulation Measures,' the presidential office's first official response was a hasty statement: "(These measures) are not from the presidential office." The office struggled to contain the fallout from this comment. When it was belatedly revealed that a presidential secretary had written a book defending the '12·3 Martial Law,' and the secretary subsequently resigned, the presidential office failed to deliver a consistent message, appearing indecisive and disorganized.

Yonhap News Agency

Thus, the 'prelude' of the past 80 days has come to an end. Marking a new beginning with the 'National Appointment Ceremony' on the 15th, the Lee Jaemyung administration now stands at the official starting line. Wearing a white tie symbolizing inclusion and a new beginning, and receiving the 'National Certificate of Appointment,' President Lee appeared to share this mindset. President Lee declared, "Let us pass down an even more glorious homeland," and added, "As a faithful servant of the sovereign people of Korea, I will move forward with confidence toward a nation where the people are the owners and the people are happy, trusting only in the people."

The public's evaluation of the Lee Jaemyung administration will become even more stringent. All parties involved-the presidential staff, the cabinet, and the ruling party-are surely aware that the lack of a transition committee can no longer be considered an excuse. The time has come for the administration to demonstrate stable governance and tangible change-enough to make people forget the aftermath of the '12·3 Martial Law.'