President Lee Receives Briefings from Ministry of Trade, SMEs, and Intellectual Property Office
Criticizes Incheon Airport President’s Response Following Work Briefing
"Pointed Out Bookmark Dollar Smuggling, Was Accused of 'Teaching How to Have Af
On December 17, President Lee Jaemyung addressed the fact that Lee Hakjae, CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation, had refuted the President's directive for a "comprehensive investigation into bookmark dollar smuggling" through social media and a separate press conference following a work report. President Lee pointed out, "(A work report session) is not a place for political debate. It should not be misused." In particular, regarding the claims by CEO Lee and opposition parties that "this has only served to inform people that hiding dollars in bookmarks will evade detection," President Lee described it as "the coexistence of common sense and nonsense."
At a work report session held at the Sejong Convention Center, which included the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office, President Lee emphasized, "In the administrative sphere, false reporting must never occur." He added, "There are cases where what is said one minute and what is said the next are different, and where statements made during a work report are contradicted later. This is a matter of culture, and administration and politics must be clearly separated."
During a work report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on December 12, President Lee questioned CEO Lee about illegal foreign currency smuggling via bookmarks. When CEO Lee failed to provide a satisfactory answer, President Lee rebuked him, saying, "Why do you keep evading the question?" On December 14, CEO Lee posted on his Facebook page, "What is concerning is that (through the work report) the entire world has learned that hiding dollars in bookmarks will evade detection," and argued, "If the President's proposed solution of 100% baggage inspection is implemented, the airport will be paralyzed."
In response, President Lee said, "There are those who criticize the President for teaching people how to commit crimes," and countered, "Comments on the article point out that this method was reported in the news years ago and that the government issued press releases about it." In 2019, executives and employees of Ssangbangwool concealed dollars in books when departing for China, and this was reported in 2022. As illegal foreign currency smuggling increased, the Korea Customs Service issued a press release on June 20, 2023, summarizing detection cases and statistics.
President Lee further asked, "Are you saying that, because a few people commit crimes, we should keep quiet and give them opportunities? By that logic, does the show 'Love and War' teach people how to have affairs?"
President Lee also pointed out that CEO Lee's claim that illegal foreign currency smuggling falls solely under the jurisdiction of customs is inaccurate. CEO Lee stated, "The inspection duties of Incheon International Airport Corporation pertain to dangerous items such as knives, awls, and firearms." However, President Lee explained, "To be precise, it is the Korea Customs Service's responsibility, but the Customs Service has delegated this to the Incheon International Airport Corporation through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The corporation inspects outbound foreign currency exceeding 10,000 US dollars." According to Assemblyman Jung Ilyoung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Incheon International Airport Corporation renewed its agreement with Incheon Airport Customs on August 5 last year, and the scope of security inspections the corporation must perform now includes 'foreign currency in excess of 10,000 US dollars.'
After refuting CEO Lee's remarks, President Lee warned, "Our citizens are observing everything through collective intelligence." He emphasized, "Public officials and politicians who act on our behalf may not hear direct objections from the people, but the public is constantly watching, judging, and remembering. We must not underestimate the people."
President Lee also reiterated the importance of discipline within the public sector. He stated, "Administration operates under a strict chain of command. Superiors must trust the reports of their subordinates, and to deliberately submit false reports or distort information to conceal incompetence is the worst conduct." He continued, "Not knowing something is not a crime, but responsibility must be commensurate with one's authority. To enjoy honor and benefits while shirking responsibility is the mindset of a thief."
President Lee also called for swift mastery of assigned duties. He said, "Whether you are a minister or a director, if you are promoted or transferred, you must work through the night if necessary to quickly grasp your new responsibilities. That is why you are given your position, allowance, and authority."
Meanwhile, President Lee is continuing his fourth consecutive day of work reports. The sessions cover the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Korean Intellectual Property Office; the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; the Korea Meteorological Administration; the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission; the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; the National Police Agency; the National Fire Agency; the Ministry of Personnel Management; and their affiliated public institutions.
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