President Lee Meets Mayors and District Chiefs: "Public Officials Play a Divine Role... Must Uphold Integrity and Transparency in Administration"

National Briefing for Mayors, County Governors, and District Chiefs at the Blue House State Guest House
"Public Officials Are Different from Private Entrepreneurs"
"Local Autonomy Is the Foundation of Democracy"

On November 12, President Lee Jaemyung addressed the 'National Briefing for Mayors, County Governors, and District Chiefs' held at the State Guest House of the Blue House, stating, "Basic local governments are the elementary schools of democracy and the foundation of national development." He urged, "Please become public officials who truly use the authority and taxes entrusted by residents for the benefit of the residents themselves."

Yonhap News Agency

The briefing was attended by Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong, as well as over 160 mayors, county governors, and district chiefs from across the country. President Lee recalled his time as mayor of Seongnam, saying, "The happiest time I experienced was when I served as mayor," and added, "The process of listening directly to residents and reflecting their voices in administration was truly rewarding."

"Public Officials Play a Divine Role... Must Uphold Integrity and Transparency in Administration"

President Lee stated, "Public officials are different from private entrepreneurs. The word 'public' truly relates to many people." He emphasized that by paying a little more attention and allocating resources a little more fairly, we can reduce the number of people who end their lives in despair. He added, "That is, in itself, giving new life."

In particular, President Lee said, "Heads of basic local governments are the public officials closest to the residents," and likened the act of inspecting one more storm drain on a rainy day, checking if any neighbors are going hungry, and ensuring no one suffers injustice to performing a god-like role.

He also called for integrity and fairness in administration. President Lee said, "All the authority and budget held by mayors, county governors, and district chiefs come from the residents," emphasizing, "That authority must never be distorted into a tool for private gain or the exercise of power." He added, "I will thoroughly inspect to ensure such things never happen," and urged, "Please work with integrity and fairness."

He repeatedly stressed the importance of transparency in administration. President Lee said, "The process must be made public so that people can trust the administration. Broadcasting cabinet meetings live has been well received by the public," adding, "Although it is tiring for those preparing, the public's perspective on administration changes."

Yonhap News Agency

"Local Autonomy Is the Foundation of Democracy"

President Lee traced the roots of democracy to local autonomy. "Democracy is the driving force of national development, and its roots lie in local autonomy," he said. "As Tocqueville said, local autonomy is the elementary school of democracy. Democracy grows where residents participate and experience it directly." President Lee emphasized, "Korea must move forward to a new stage of progress, with local governments at its core," and added, "You are the power that protects the lives of residents and transforms the nation."