President Lee: "In Six Months, Additional Work Reports Will Be Strictly Reviewed and Accountability Enforced"

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
Orders Strict Sanctions for Affiliated Public Institutions Showing No Change in Attitude
Work Reports: From Ministries and Agencies to Presidential Oversight
On Civilian "North Korean Drone Incurs

On January 20, President Lee Jaemyung stated, "I will thoroughly check the additional work reports from ministries and agencies to be submitted in six months and hold those responsible accountable." He specifically instructed ministers to take strict disciplinary action against those who show no change in attitude, even after being criticized during the initial work report. Regarding the recent controversy over a civilian allegedly sending a drone to North Korea, he reiterated, "It is tantamount to firing a gun at North Korea," emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and strict disciplinary measures.

Yonhap News Agency

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the main building of the presidential office that day, President Lee said, "For the work reports in six months, I will focus on whether existing problems are left unaddressed, whether identified issues remain unresolved, whether improvements are not made despite being possible, or whether good suggestions are ignored." All affiliated agencies, as well as ministries, attended the Cabinet meeting. The intention is for everyone to share the direction of state affairs and ensure consistent policy alignment.

He also announced plans to change the order of work reports, so that ministries and agencies first receive reports from their affiliated public institutions, followed by a work report presided over by the president. President Lee emphasized, "Please prepare to report concisely on how the identified issues have been addressed and what the current major issues are. If a minister, after the president's remarks, receives a report where the same attitude is displayed, strict admonishment is necessary."

He once again ordered a thorough investigation and strict disciplinary action regarding the South Korean drone infiltration incident. The joint military-police investigation task force identified the suspect as a civilian and conducted a summons investigation. President Lee stated, "While intelligence gathering may be conducted as part of national defense strategy, it is unacceptable for drones to be illegally sent to the North for unlawful purposes, or for civilians to infiltrate North Korean territory with drones. Such acts are tantamount to initiating acts of war and are equivalent to firing a gun into North Korean territory." He also instructed the Ministry of National Defense to improve related facilities.

Yonhap News Agency

He further requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries monitor whether South Korean companies operating in developing countries are engaging in labor suppression or human rights violations by relying on low-wage labor. Citing the case of Cambodia, President Lee stressed, "This is a time when Korea is internationally recognized, and I hope each ministry will ensure that the base desires of some members do not cause national embarrassment or loss."

Addressing Kim Jongcheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission, who attended the Cabinet meeting for the first time, President Lee said, "At a minimum, terrestrial and comprehensive programming channels must uphold neutrality, fairness, and public interest." He argued that, unlike internet newspapers, broadcasters receive special privileges by using the airwaves, so "freedom of the press cannot be allowed without limits."

Additionally, President Lee remarked, "I occasionally visit Hyochang Park, and it is too gloomy," instructing officials to consider designating it as a national park. Regarding regional development, he directed, "All ministries and agencies should make it a basic principle to provide incentives to local areas when managing state affairs." He also mentioned the two-year pilot project for basic income in rural and fishing villages, urging, "If there are no problems, it should be continued."

Furthermore, after receiving reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the outcomes of visits to Japan and China, President Lee said, "When we visited Nara, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed a desire to visit Andong," instructing officials to make facility improvements if possible. In response, Wi Seongrak, Chief of the National Security Office at the presidential office, replied, "The chief of protocol will visit the site. After an on-site inspection based on preliminary information, I will report back."

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on plans to expand the use of the Korean Provisional Government building in Shanghai. Other ministry reports included plans for reinventing the roles of overseas diplomatic missions, policies to improve public welfare in 2026, and the consideration of installing additional Hangul signboards at Gwanghwamun.

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting, a total of 9 bills, 13 presidential decrees, 3 general agenda items, and 5 promulgation bills were tabled. The promulgation bills included the so-called "three major special prosecutor bills," covering the second comprehensive special prosecutor law (the bill on the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate insurrection, treason, and state corruption by Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee), which will continue investigations into cases not completed by the previous special prosecutors. Under the second comprehensive special prosecutor law, the president will appoint one special prosecutor from candidates recommended by the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and the investigation can last up to 170 days, including preparation. After candidate recommendations this month, a special prosecutor's office with about 250 members is expected to be launched by February at the latest.