Emphasizing "Substantial Popular Sovereignty" Amid Live Broadcast Debate...
Commitment to Continued Transparency
Directly Addressing Sensitive Issues: Illegal Currency Outflows, Technology Theft, Opinion Manipulation, and Nuclear Policy Conflicts
During the four-day series of ministry work briefings that began last week, President Lee Jaemyung directly addressed sensitive issues such as "illegal foreign currency outflow," "sanctions on technology theft," "manipulation of online comments and public opinion," and "conflicts over nuclear energy policy." He posed sharp questions not only to the heads of ministries but also to the working-level officials in charge. The President scrutinized figures and procedures related to current issues on the spot, and when he judged the answers to be insufficient, he immediately expressed criticism, with these moments broadcast live. This has been seen as a demonstration of his commitment to transparent governance. For those officials who showed outstanding preparation, he also offered praise, presenting them as "model cases," thus employing both encouragement and discipline.
While the live broadcast of the work briefings has generally received positive reviews, the presidential office acknowledged the drawback that minor details could be excessively magnified. Nevertheless, it emphasized that the benefits of directly explaining President Lee's governance philosophy and plans to the public outweigh the disadvantages, and announced its intention to continue with the principle of openness. At a cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 16th, President Lee stated, "State affairs must be transparently disclosed to the public," adding, "Only then can popular sovereignty be truly realized." During the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy briefing on the 17th, he said, "The public observes everything through collective intelligence. That is why we make these work briefings public," and added, "We must not underestimate the people. The principle of open administration is enshrined in law, and of course, we should disclose these matters."
Addressing Past Controversies and Strongly Criticizing Those Responsible
Over the four days, President Lee focused intensively on issues of public livelihood and the economy that had previously been controversial or that the public might be curious about. During the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy briefing, he conducted a concentrated inquiry into the profitability review of the "Great Whale" deep-sea gas field project in the East Sea, which had been promoted by the Yoon Sukyeol administration. President Lee questioned Korea National Oil Corporation officials about estimated production costs per barrel, expressing doubt by saying, "I wonder whether the profitability review was properly conducted." When Choi Moonkyu, Acting President of Korea National Oil Corporation, responded that "there were too many variables, so we did not calculate profitability separately," President Lee pointedly asked, "If there were so many variables, shouldn't you have not proceeded with the project in the first place?"
During the Cultural Heritage Administration briefing, President Lee addressed the fact that former President Yoon Sukyeol and his spouse borrowed 63 pieces of master crafts from the National Intangible Heritage Center's Craft Bank during his term, stating, "All administration must meet the expectations of the public. Whether you are a minister or the president, you are not part of a privileged class." The Yoon administration's presidential office had to pay 3 million won in compensation for breaking one of the 63 craft items, a teacup. Ultimately, Director Heo admitted, "We acknowledge the mistakes of the past three years and are apologizing to the public," adding, "We have now completely revised the relevant system."
During the Incheon International Airport Corporation briefing, a heated exchange occurred over the issue of illegal foreign currency outflow. When President Lee's questions were met with evasive or indirect answers from President Lee Hakjae, he remarked, "Are you off somewhere else right now?" and "Answer the question accurately." He further criticized, "It's been three years, and it seems you still haven't grasped your work properly." When Lee Hakjae, a former three-term lawmaker from the People Power Party, later posted a rebuttal to President Lee's directive on his social media and held a separate press conference to repeat his argument, President Lee responded, "Do not use work briefings for political purposes," and added, "Exercising authority without taking responsibility is the mindset of a thief."
Regarding the long-standing ideological debate over nuclear power policy, President Lee criticized the lack of serious discussion on efficiency and validity, stating, "There is no genuine debate on efficiency or feasibility; it's just factional fighting." He pointed out the reality that conclusions differ depending on party or faction, and that falsehoods are often circulated as truth. He jokingly asked the working-level officials, "Let someone without party affiliation speak," while demanding answers based on clear evidence. He especially emphasized that issues such as nuclear plant construction periods and the practical benefits of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing should be subject to open verification based on facts and data, and that policies should be decided through scientific debate.
On-the-Spot Directives for Public Livelihood and Economic Issues During Work Briefings
On the same day, during the Ministry of SMEs and Startups briefing, President Lee addressed sanctions on technology theft, stating, "The maximum fine is 2 billion won, which is too low." He remarked, "If someone made 100 billion won through technology theft, a 2 billion won fine is insignificant. If it were me, I'd be tempted to steal as well," and ordered a review of the penalty system to impose fines several times the sales or illicit gains. He argued that criminal penalties are ineffective and that economic sanctions should be strengthened to enhance deterrence.
During the National Police Agency briefing, President Lee said, "Manipulating rankings or public opinion using macros is a very serious crime," and ordered a thorough check. He cited several situations, such as only two or three articles on a particular portal receiving a disproportionate number of supportive comments, and asked whether these could be investigated. He pointed out that using technology to manipulate portal rankings constitutes "obstruction of business," not defamation, and publicly raised suspicions that "portal companies may be deliberately neglecting this for business reasons."
He also gave an immediate directive to consider providing incentives for discontinuing life-sustaining treatment (medical care). During the Ministry of Health and Welfare briefing, President Lee acknowledged the ethical controversy but said, "If someone decides not to receive life-sustaining treatment, the cost savings are enormous. One way to provide a benefit is to reduce insurance premiums," and asked, "If the cost savings are confirmed to a certain extent, would it be possible to implement a policy of lowering insurance premiums?" He added, "There is controversy, but we cannot completely ignore practical issues, so please consider it."
Alongside the issue of life-sustaining treatment, he also instructed officials to review expanding health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment. President Lee said, "Isn't hair loss also a disease?" and noted, "In the past, it was seen as a cosmetic issue, but now it is perceived as a matter of survival." He explained that this directive was prompted by complaints from young people about insurance premiums, saying, "They pay premiums but receive no benefits. Their sense of exclusion is growing because their needs are not met." He also asked for a review of health insurance coverage for obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
'Model Cases' Recognized and Encouraged On-Site During Work Briefings
President Lee also offered direct praise for "model cases" on site. During the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety briefing, he asked, "I heard that during the National Information Resources Service fire, a separate system was created to handle civil complaints. Who was responsible?" When Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung introduced Information Officer Kim Iksang, President Lee said, "He handled it excellently. Please give him a round of applause."
Earlier that day, at the cabinet meeting, he introduced the renewable energy model in Shinan County, saying, "I heard that 30% of the project is mandatorily allocated to residents, which is exemplary." President Lee added, "I happened to see an interview, and the director in charge in Shinan County seemed very smart. I suggested that relevant ministries consider recruiting him."
During the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs briefing, he praised Byun Sangmoon, Director of the Food Grain Policy Division, as a model case for providing specific information about the import of genetically modified (GMO) soybeans. Byun earned the nickname "Soybean GPT." When President Lee asked, "Aren't tofu made from soybeans used for oil extraction?" Byun replied, "Edible soybeans are non-GMO." When asked about the import volume and domestic production of GMO soybeans, Byun provided objective figures: "1 million tons" and "83,000 tons," respectively.
During the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy briefing, when Minister Kim Jeonggwan announced a "project to reduce 30% of fake work," President Lee highly praised him, saying, "It was worth bringing you in from the private sector." Minister Kim stated that to effectively carry out new tasks, the organization must be innovated and capabilities strengthened, and that he would pursue the "fake work reduction project." President Lee responded, "It sounds like a really interesting item. Please make it a model project," and instructed Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoonshik, "Don't wait for the results from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy-have other ministries proceed simultaneously."
Meanwhile, this series of work briefings will continue with the Ministry of National Defense, Military Manpower Administration, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 18th; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Koreans Agency, Ministry of Unification, Financial Services Commission, Fair Trade Commission, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutors' Office, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on the 19th. President Lee plans to continue receiving briefings from the remaining ministries, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, through December 23.
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