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 ministerial 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 responsible for these matters. The President scrutinized figures and procedures related to these issues on the spot, and when he deemed the answers insufficient, he immediately expressed his criticism, all of which was broadcast live. This approach has been seen as a clear demonstration of his commitment to transparent governance. For officials who showed outstanding preparation, he also offered praise, presenting both incentives and admonishments as appropriate.
As the live broadcast of the work briefings received generally positive feedback, the Office of the President acknowledged the drawback that minor issues could be excessively magnified. Nevertheless, they emphasized that the advantages-namely, the President’s ability to directly explain his philosophy and plans to the public-far outweigh the disadvantages, and stated that the principle of public disclosure would continue. At the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on December 16, President Lee remarked, “State affairs must be transparently disclosed to the public,” adding, “Only then can popular sovereignty be truly realized.” At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s work briefing on December 17, he commented, “The public sees everything through collective intelligence. That’s why we make these work briefings public,” and further stated, “We must not underestimate the people. The principle of open administration is enshrined in law, but of course, we should disclose these matters.”
Addressing Past Controversies and Strongly Reprimanding Those Responsible
Over the four days, President Lee focused on issues of public concern and economic matters that had previously been sources of controversy. At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s work briefing, he conducted an intensive inquiry into the profitability review of the “Daewang Whale” deep-sea gas field project in the East Sea, which had been promoted by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. President Lee questioned the Korea National Oil Corporation about the estimated production cost per barrel, expressing skepticism about whether a proper profitability review had been conducted. When Choi Moonkyu, Acting President of the Korea National Oil Corporation, responded that they had not separately calculated profitability due to numerous variables, President Lee pointedly asked, “If there are so many variables, shouldn’t you have not pursued the project in the first place?”
During the Cultural Heritage Administration’s work briefing, President Lee raised the issue of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his spouse borrowing 63 pieces of artisan crafts from the National Intangible Heritage Craft Bank during his term. He stated, “All administrative actions must meet the public’s expectations. Whether you are a minister or a president, you are not part of a privileged class.” The Yoon administration’s presidential office had paid 3 million won in compensation after breaking one teacup out of the 63 borrowed items. Ultimately, Commissioner Huh admitted, “We acknowledge the mistakes of the past three years and are apologizing to the public,” adding, “We have now overhauled the relevant system.”
At the Incheon International Airport Corporation’s work briefing, a heated exchange occurred over the issue of illegal foreign currency outflow. When President Lee Hakjae gave evasive or indirect answers, President Lee remarked, “Are you off somewhere else right now?” and “Answer the question directly.” He further criticized, “It’s been three years, but it seems you still haven’t grasped your work properly.” After the briefing, Lee Hakjae, a three-term lawmaker from the People Power Party, posted a rebuttal to the President’s instructions on his social media and held a separate press conference to repeat his claims. In response, President Lee warned, “Do not exploit the work briefing for political purposes,” and criticized, “To wield authority without fulfilling your responsibilities is the height of irresponsibility.”
Regarding the longstanding ideological disputes over nuclear power policy, President Lee criticized that “there is no serious debate about efficiency or validity, only factional infighting.” He questioned, “Why divide sides in a scientific debate?” and pointed out that depending on political party or faction, the same issue leads to different conclusions, and falsehoods are often circulated as truth. He urged working-level officials to provide answers based on clear evidence, joking, “Let someone without party affiliation answer.” He particularly emphasized that issues such as nuclear plant construction periods and the practical benefits of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing should be subject to public verification based on facts and data, and that policies should be determined through scientific debate.
Immediate Instructions on Public and Economic Issues During Work Briefings
On the same day, at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ work briefing, President Lee addressed sanctions on technology theft, stating, “The maximum fine is 2 billion won, which is far too low.” He added, “If someone earns 100 billion won through technology theft, a 2 billion won fine is insignificant. If it were me, I would just keep stealing.” He instructed the ministry to review the penalty system so that fines are a multiple of the revenue or profit gained through theft. He argued that criminal penalties are ineffective and that economic sanctions should be strengthened to increase deterrence.
At the National Police Agency’s work briefing, President Lee described “manipulation of rankings or public opinion using macros as a very serious criminal act,” and ordered a thorough investigation. He cited several suspicious circumstances, such as only two or three specific articles on certain portals receiving a concentrated number of favorable comments, and asked whether an investigation was possible. He also pointed out that using technology to manipulate portal rankings constitutes “obstruction of business,” not defamation, and publicly questioned, “Are portal companies deliberately neglecting this for business reasons?”
He also issued an immediate instruction to consider providing incentives for discontinuing life-sustaining treatment (medical care). At the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s work briefing, President Lee acknowledged the moral controversy, stating, “If someone chooses not to receive life-sustaining treatment, the cost savings are enormous. One way to offer a benefit is by reducing insurance premiums,” and asked, “If cost savings can be confirmed to some extent, is it possible to implement a policy of lowering insurance premiums?” He added, “Although there is controversy, we cannot completely ignore practical issues, so please consider this.”
Alongside the issue of life-sustaining treatment, President Lee also called for expanding health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment. He said, “Isn’t hair loss also a kind of illness?” and added, “In the past, it was seen as a cosmetic issue, but nowadays it is regarded as a matter of survival.” President Lee explained that such requests stem from dissatisfaction among younger generations regarding insurance premiums, saying, “They pay premiums but receive no benefits. They desperately need help, so why is nothing being done?” He also instructed that coverage for obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro be considered.
‘Model Cases’ Recognized and Encouraged On-Site During Work Briefings
President Lee also offered direct praise on-site for “model cases.” At the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s work briefing, he asked, “I heard that during the National Information Resources Service fire, a separate system was set up to handle civil complaints. Who was responsible?” When Commissioner Oh Youkyung introduced Information Officer Kim Iksang, President Lee said, “You handled it excellently. Please give him a round of applause.”
Earlier that day, at the Cabinet meeting, he introduced the renewable energy model of Shinan County, saying, “I heard that 30 percent 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 at Shinan County seemed extremely competent,” and suggested that relevant ministries consider recruiting such talented individuals.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ work briefing, President Lee praised Byun Sangmoon, Director of the Food Policy Bureau, as a model case for providing specific information on imports of genetically modified (GMO) soybeans. Byun earned the nickname “SoybeanGPT.” When President Lee asked, “Aren’t tofu products made from oilseed soybeans?” Byun replied, “Edible soybeans are non-GMO.” When asked about the volume of GMO soybean imports and domestic production, Byun provided objective figures: “1 million tons” and “83,000 tons,” respectively.
At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s work briefing, when Minister Kim Jeonggwan announced the launch of a “Project to Reduce Fake Work by 30 Percent,” President Lee highly praised the initiative, saying, “It was worthwhile to bring in someone from the private sector.” Minister Kim stated that to effectively carry out new tasks, the organization must innovate and strengthen its capabilities, and that the “Project to Reduce Fake Work” would be pursued. President Lee responded, “It sounds like a really interesting item. Please make it a model case,” 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, the current 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 December 18, followed by 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 December 19. President Lee plans to continue receiving reports from the remaining ministries, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, through December 23.
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