President Lee Jae-myung Holds First Government Briefing on the 11th
Criticizes Korea Customs Service Over 'Mail-Delivered Drugs' Measures
"I Ordered Personnel Deployment, So Why Only at One Location?"
In Response to Policy Coordinator's Legal Concerns
"Are You Still Deliberating... It's Been Months Since I Raised This"
President Lee Jae-myung is reviewing materials at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (National Tax Service, Korea Customs Service, Public Procurement Service) - National Data Office briefing on "2026 Great Leap Forward Economy, Trusted Data" held at the Sejong Government Sejong Convention Center on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News
During a work briefing from the Korea Customs Service on the 11th, President Lee Jae-myung criticized, "It makes no sense that necessary tasks cannot be carried out due to a lack of personnel." When Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Myung-gu cited legal issues and insufficient manpower as reasons for the difficulties in addressing drug and firearms control, President Lee pointedly asked, "What exactly is the problem?"
President Lee made these remarks while receiving a work briefing at the Sejong Convention Center on this day. Starting today, President Lee will visit Sejong, Seoul, Busan, and other locations to receive New Year work briefings from 228 public institutions, including 19 ministries, 5 offices, 18 agencies, and 7 committees. The first work briefing included the Ministry of Economy and Finance and its affiliated agencies, such as the Korea Customs Service.
President Lee asked the commissioner, "The problem is the domestic inflow of drugs, which are coming in through international mail using the express delivery system. How do you control this?" Commissioner Lee replied, "Extraordinary measures are needed," and suggested, "One solution is to prevent drug offenders or those curious about drugs from using the express delivery system, or to block related benefits."
President Lee then reiterated, "What I am asking is, what is the method to block this at the customs clearance stage itself?" He further pressed, "Are you deploying additional personnel to conduct extra inspections specifically for express mail?" and "I instructed you to dispatch personnel to mail sorting centers-is this being done everywhere, or only in some locations?"
President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (National Tax Service, Korea Customs Service, Public Procurement Service) - National Data Office briefing titled "2026 Economic Leap Forward, Trusted Data" held at the Government Sejong Convention Center in Sejong City on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News
When Commissioner Lee reported, "It is only being done at the East Seoul Post Office," President Lee pointed out, "Didn't I tell you to do this? Why hasn't the manpower been reinforced?" President Lee questioned, "What is the obstacle?" and added, "The Korea Customs Service can hire personnel, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety can approve additional staff, and the budget can be allocated-what is the issue?"
During this exchange, Yoon Chang-ryul, Minister for Government Policy Coordination, explained further, suggesting that "there are concerns about inspecting each individual's personal items." However, President Lee countered, "Then is it also a violation for drug-sniffing dogs to detect odors? That makes no sense," and criticized, "Are you still not finished deliberating the legal issues? It's been months since I raised this point."
President Lee remarked, "It's not as if we are looking at the contents of the mail or reading the letters. It seems like a legitimate exercise of state authority, so I don't understand why this is an issue from a common-sense perspective." He added, "Claiming that drug enforcement cannot be done due to a lack of personnel is truly unacceptable."
A similar pattern emerged during the discussion on firearms control. President Lee noted that there is no way to prevent firearms from being imported as separate parts and asked the commissioner, "What is the solution?" Commissioner Lee responded, "The National Police Agency is responsible for the Firearms and Explosives Control Act, but related agencies need to work together to amend the law." President Lee pressed further, "Are you saying you can't do anything now because there is no law?"
Subsequently, President Lee asked again, "Other agencies are responsible for cracking down on the sale of imported firearms, but the Korea Customs Service is supposed to prevent them from crossing the border. So what is the method?" Commissioner Lee answered, "In reality, we need to enhance our equipment," and concluded, "Ultimately, it comes down to expanding both manpower and equipment."
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