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 Affairs'"
On Claims by Airport President and Opposition, Says "Coexistence of Common Sense and Nonsense"
Reiterates Need for Public Sector Discipline
"Enjoying Benefits Without Taking Responsibility Is the Mindset of a Thief"
On December 17, President Lee Jaemyung addressed the fact that Lee Hakjae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, rebutted his directive for a "comprehensive investigation into bookmark dollar smuggling" through social media and a separate press conference after a work briefing. President Lee pointed out, "(The work briefing session) is not a place for political debate. It should not be misused." In particular, regarding claims by President Lee and the opposition that "publicizing the fact that hiding dollars in bookmarks makes them undetectable," President Lee remarked, "This is a coexistence of common sense and nonsense."
At the work briefing held at the Sejong Convention Center for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office, President Lee said, "In the field of administration, false reporting must never occur." He continued, "Sometimes what is said one minute is different from what is said the next, and there are cases where statements made during a work briefing are later contradicted elsewhere. This is a matter of culture, and administration and politics must be clearly distinguished," he emphasized again.
On December 12, during a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport work briefing, President Lee questioned President Lee Hakjae about the illegal export of foreign currency using bookmarks. When President Lee Hakjae failed to answer properly, President Lee rebuked him, saying, "Why do you keep evading the question?" On December 14, President Lee Hakjae posted on his Facebook page, "What is concerning is that the entire world now knows that 'hiding dollars in bookmarks makes them undetectable' as a result of the work briefing," and argued, "If the President's proposed solution of 100% baggage inspection is implemented, the airport will be paralyzed."
In response, President Lee stated, "There are people who criticize the President for 'teaching crime,'" and countered, "There are comments on the articles pointing out that this method was reported in the media years ago and that the government issued press releases about it." In 2019, employees of Ssangbangwool Group hid dollars in books when departing for China, and this fact was reported in 2022. As cases of illegal foreign currency export and import increased, the Korea Customs Service issued a press release summarizing detection cases and statistics on June 20 last year.
President Lee further questioned, "So are you saying that some people should be given opportunities to commit crimes by keeping things quiet?" and added, "By that logic, is the TV show 'Love and War' teaching people how to have affairs?"
President Lee also pointed out that President Lee Hakjae's claim that illegal foreign currency export is solely the responsibility of customs is inaccurate. President Lee Hakjae asserted, "The inspection work of Incheon International Airport Corporation involves dangerous items such as knives, awls, and firearms." However, President Lee explained, "Strictly speaking, this is originally the work of the Korea Customs Service, but the Customs Service has delegated the task to the Airport Corporation and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Corporation inspects the export of foreign currency exceeding 10,000 US dollars." According to Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Ilyoung, Incheon International Airport Corporation renewed its agreement with Incheon Airport Customs on August 5 last year, and the scope of security inspection to be performed by the Corporation now includes 'foreign currency exceeding 10,000 US dollars.'
After refuting President Lee Hakjae's remarks, President Lee warned, "Our citizens are watching everything through collective intelligence." He emphasized, "Public officials and politicians who act on behalf of the people may not hear direct criticism, but the public is constantly observing, judging, and remembering. Never underestimate the people."
President Lee again stressed the need to establish discipline within the public sector. He said, "Administration operates on a strict chain of command. Superiors have no choice but to trust the reports of subordinates, and to deliberately submit false reports or distort information to cover up incompetence is the worst act." He continued, "Not knowing something is not a crime, but the greater the authority, the greater the responsibility. To enjoy the honor and benefits of authority while refusing to take responsibility is the mindset of a thief."
He also urged quick familiarization with assigned work. President Lee said, "Whether you are a minister or a director, when you are promoted or transferred and take on new duties, you must work through the night if necessary to quickly get up to speed. That is why you are given the position, the allowance, and the authority."
Meanwhile, President Lee continued the fourth day of work briefings throughout the day. The briefings covered 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.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
