Three Chiefs’ Briefing:
"Restoring Collapsed Livelihood and Security, Putting Diplomacy and Security Back on Track"
"Conclusion of Korea-U.S. Tariff Deal and Return to Multilateral Diplomacy... A New Starting Point for Growth and Progress"
Marking the six-month anniversary of the Lee Jaemyung administration, the Presidential Office highlighted the realization of the KOSPI 4,000-point milestone, 1.3% growth in the third quarter, and annual exports surpassing $700 billion as its representative achievements. The office assessed that it had "put the collapsed livelihood economy and diplomacy and security back on track." It also emphasized economic and diplomatic accomplishments, noting the conclusion of tariff negotiations with the United States, the initiation of nuclear-powered submarine construction, and expanded authority over uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing as breakthroughs on long-standing national goals.
On the afternoon of December 7, Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, delivered opening remarks at the "Record of the First Six Months of the Lee Jaemyung Administration: A Report to the People" briefing held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. He stated, "The government of popular sovereignty, born from the Revolution of Light, has devoted the past 187 days and 4,488 hours to national normalization and restoring livelihoods," adding, "We have done our utmost to be a government that proves itself with numbers, not just words." The briefing was attended by Chief Secretary Kang, Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, National Security Chief Wi Sungrak, and other senior secretaries, with the entire event broadcast live.
Chief Secretary Kang first emphasized the focus on restoring the collapsed livelihood economy. He explained that immediately after the inauguration, the president's first directive was to establish an "Emergency Economic Task Force," which implemented a "Livelihood Recovery Supplementary Budget" and distributed "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons" to reignite domestic demand, which had been stagnant for an extended period. He cited the sharp rebound in the growth rate from -0.2% in the first quarter to 1.3% in the third quarter as a key achievement, stating, "We have achieved tangible results in reviving our weakened economy."
Regarding the financial market, he said, "Through institutional efforts to enhance transparency and shareholder value, a 'money move' toward productive finance has begun in earnest," and "the seemingly impossible KOSPI 4,000-point milestone has become a reality." Chief Secretary Kang also noted, "Exports surged significantly last month, bringing the historic annual export figure of $700 billion within reach. We have increased next year's research and development budget to a record high and secured 260,000 GPUs, the core resource for the AI transformation, laying the foundation for Korea to become one of the world's top three AI powerhouses."
In the fields of diplomacy and security, the conclusion of tariff negotiations with the United States and the return to multilateral diplomacy were presented as core achievements. Chief Secretary Kang said, "Diplomacy and security, which had been unstable, are now firmly back on track." He continued, "Since the launch of the administration, President Lee Jaemyung has led summit diplomacy by attending the G7 Summit, the United Nations General Assembly, the ASEAN Summit, the Gyeongju Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, and the G20 Summit, fully normalizing summit diplomacy and announcing the return of democratic Korea to the world." He added, "For the first time as President of Korea, he presided over a UN Security Council meeting and successfully hosted the Gyeongju APEC Summit, which was prepared in a very short period."
Regarding the most pressing issue, the tariff negotiations with the United States, he assessed, "We resolved it wisely based on mutual respect and understanding." Chief Secretary Kang explained, "During this process, a level of cooperative partnership between Korea and the United States, different from anything before, was established, and long-cherished projects such as the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and expanded authority over uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing were achieved." He continued, "On the foundation of a solid Korea-U.S. alliance, we have stably restored relations with China, which had been deteriorating, expanded the scope of diplomacy through future-oriented Korea-Japan cooperation, and deepened ties with the Global South, including Africa and the Middle East."
Chief Secretary Kang also cited the administration's governance style as fitting for the "era of popular sovereignty." He said, "True to its identity as a government born from the Revolution of Light, the Lee Jaemyung administration has made comprehensive efforts to strengthen popular sovereignty," adding, "We have broadcast the entire process of Cabinet and senior secretary meetings live and, for the first time, made public the Presidential Office's special activity and operational expenses."
Additionally, through the national recommendation system, the "People's Mailbox," and nationwide town hall meetings, "the president has expanded direct communication channels with the public," he explained, adding, "We are also pursuing democratic institutional reforms to achieve just national unity based on reflection and responsibility."
However, Chief Secretary Kang acknowledged that "there is still a long way to go," noting that many challenges remain. He said, "The international situation remains unstable, and there are numerous issues accumulated within our society. The president and the Presidential Office are breaking away from old habits and inertia, approaching issues from entirely new perspectives and methods, and solving problems one by one."
Chief Secretary Kang concluded, "As President Lee Jaemyung always emphasizes, we in the Presidential Office will do our utmost as aides to the captain of the Republic of Korea, so that by the end of the term, the president will have earned even greater love and trust than at the start. If you trust and support the government, we will surely repay you with results."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
