President Lee Presides Over Second Core Regulatory Rationalization Strategy Meeting
Urges Officials: "Do Not Avoid Issues of Conflict of Interest"
Discussions Held on Future Core Industries: Bio, Energy, and K-Culture
On October 16, President Lee Jaemyung criticized the exercise of authority by a bureaucratized government, stating that it acts as a shackle on economic recovery. President Lee called for the elimination of unnecessary regulations and urged that issues of conflict of interest should not be avoided.
Presiding over the second Core Regulation Rationalization Strategy Meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan on the same day, President Lee stated, "To restore the economy and strengthen livelihoods, we ultimately need to enable business and economic activities to thrive." He emphasized, "At the core of this agenda is regulatory rationalization." He further pointed out, "When the government becomes bureaucratic, it tends to exercise its authority based on fixed ideas, and in some cases, this becomes a shackle in the field."
President Lee then urged participants not to avoid conflict of interest issues that arise during the process of regulatory innovation. He emphasized, "When interests conflict, the solution is not to regulate in order to avoid them, but to mediate them properly. If there are risks, we can minimize those risk factors and then streamline the regulations."
During this discussion, President Lee specifically mentioned the 'solar power setback distance' regulation. Under current law, local governments are required to regulate solar power facilities so that they are a certain distance away from roads or residential areas. President Lee explained, "Even if solar power becomes an eyesore in the neighborhood, residents gain no benefit, and a small number of operators monopolize the profits, leading to conflicts of interest. If we institutionalize a system that allows residents to share in the benefits and welcome such projects, there would be no need to strictly enforce setback distances."
At the meeting, discussions covered future core industries such as bio and energy. President Lee stated, "Necessary regulations will be strengthened, while unnecessary ones will be relaxed or abolished." Specifically, he instructed that in the bio industry, systems should be boldly reformed to enable rapid demonstration, clinical trials, and treatment. For the renewable energy industry, he called for the removal of 'spiderweb regulations' regarding permits and site selection, and for a shift in thinking so that energy production can lead to income generation for local residents.
As the presidential office has designated this week as Culture Week and is continuing related discussions, President Lee also addressed K-culture. He stated, "The fundamental principle is to provide support without interference, but there are still various regulatory principles in place." He added, "If there are obstacles, we should listen carefully to those in the field, eliminate as many risk factors as possible within acceptable limits, and ensure an environment where creativity can be freely expressed." In addition, regulatory rationalization measures to revitalize the struggling film and terrestrial broadcasting industries were also discussed.
The presidential office announced that it will focus on managing follow-up actions so that the policy tasks proposed at the meeting can be improved as quickly as possible in the field.
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