[Gwanga in] Deputy Minister Directly Calls Opposition Leader's 'Nuclear Wastewater' Remarks "Unnecessary Worry"... Drastically Changed Communication in Yoon Cabinet

'Government Achievements' Emphasized from Prime Minister to Ministers
Active Response to Criticism... Also Points Out Opposition Leader's Remarks
Labor Hours Reform Stalled, "More Active Communication Needed"
Yoon "Reflecting Public Opinion" Han "Investing More Time in Persuasion"

Cabinet officials listening to President Yoon Suk-yeol's opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Senior officials within the Yoon Suk-yeol administration are focusing on leading public opinion. Contrary to the early administration atmosphere that discouraged so-called 'showy efforts,' a mood has formed to clearly highlight the government's achievements. The government is also raising its level of response to criticism from opposition parties and some media outlets. This is to ensure that government policies do not collapse due to a failure to properly gauge public sentiment.

Clearly Communicate Achievements... From the Prime Minister to Ministers, Emphasizing 'Performance'

On the 21st, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo personally brought about ten documents to a back briefing with the press corps at the Government Complex Sejong. Prime Minister Han holds a back briefing every two weeks to answer current issue questions from reporters. Since the press corps does not submit questions in advance for the back briefing, Han usually attends without any documents and answers spontaneously. The documents he brought that day contained key economic data such as employment, inflation, growth, consumption, and exports.

Although Prime Minister Han added the caveat that “it is difficult to say the economy has completely improved,” he emphasized indicators showing positive signals. Regarding employment, he assessed that it is “showing considerable activation,” and on consumption, he said, “Consumption, an important pillar of domestic demand, is moving in a favorable direction.” In effect, the Prime Minister took the lead in promoting the economic areas that the government is successfully managing.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho is conversing with Assemblyman Kim Jeong-jae at the People Power Party's Public Sympathy Study Meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho has also been emphasizing the government's achievements on inflation and employment this month. At the Kwanhun Forum held at the Korea Press Center on the 8th, Deputy Prime Minister Choo stated, “There is a high possibility that the inflation rate in June will be in the high 2% range.” Six days later, at the People Power Party study group ‘People’s Sympathy,’ he mentioned the possibility of an economic rebound in the second half of the year and the favorable employment situation, urging, “There is no need to be discouraged,” and “You can have confidence.”

Active Response to Critical Public Opinion... Pointing Out Opposition Leader’s Remarks

The government is actively countering critical public opinion. Daily briefings related to the discharge of contaminated water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant are a prime example. Until recently, relevant ministries did not respond individually to criticisms about the discharge. However, since the 15th, excluding weekends, the government has been explaining its position and scientific evidence regarding the discharge every day. In particular, press releases have even addressed articles from some media outlets to refute them. The government plans to centralize the channel for verifying facts related to the discharge and also utilize social networking services (SNS).

Park Gu-yeon, First Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, is giving a briefing on the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant at the Government Complex Seoul Annex on the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The level of rebuttal has also intensified. Regarding criticisms such as “Is the government acting as Japan’s spokesperson?” about the Fukushima contaminated water discharge, Park Gu-yeon, First Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, responded on the 16th and 20th by even using the term “insulting.” Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Song Sang-geun also criticized the Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung’s use of the term “nuclear wastewater” on the 19th, saying it “causes excessive and unnecessary worry and concern among the public.” It is considered unusual for a vice minister-level official to directly challenge the remarks of an opposition party leader.

In the National Assembly, there were also strong responses to opposition attacks. On the 13th, during a government-related economic questioning session, Prime Minister Han sharply criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Eo Gi-gu regarding electricity rate hikes, saying, “Your government is the one that has never raised electricity rates even once,” and added, “It was wrong. It was a mistake.” This contrasts with his demeanor during the February 7 government questioning session when he discussed electricity fees with Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo. At that time, despite being told by Seo that he was “unfit to be Prime Minister,” Han maintained a relatively calm tone.

Labor Hour Reform Stalled Due to Public Criticism... "Actively Shift to Public Communication"

In fact, senior officials of the Yoon administration were relatively passive in promoting achievements and countering criticism during the early days of the administration. President Yoon himself had distanced himself from “showy” efforts, saying during his candidacy, “I don’t do shows.” Unlike the Moon Jae-in administration, which held large-scale first work reports at places like the Government Sejong Convention Center, the first work report after taking office was conducted solely by ministers without the attendance of bureau chiefs.

As a result, there were many complaints within government ministries and the presidential office that the hard-earned achievements were not properly promoted. There were also criticisms that the government failed to respond quickly to public criticism, causing confusion in messaging and worsening situations. Even the first work report caused friction as President Yoon’s intentions were conveyed through post-briefings. He had instructed to “maintain the 12-year system for elementary to high school but quickly consider advancing the school starting age by one year,” but the premise of establishing care services and gathering public opinion was omitted.

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik is announcing the plan to reform the working hours system at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office Building on the 6th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Within the government, it is said that the decisive turning point for changing the atmosphere regarding media response and promotion was the announcement of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s labor hour reform plan in March. A government official in charge of media response said, “It is true that the reflection on that occasion led to a proactive shift in public communication.” The Ministry of Employment announced the system with the intention of reducing unpaid overtime, but it lost momentum trapped within the 69-hour weekly framework. During the explanation process, Minister Lee Jung-sik sparked backlash by saying, “These days, the MZ generation has a very strong sense of rights, saying things like ‘Vice Chairman, come out, Chairman, come out.’”

President Yoon: "Reflect Public Opinion," Prime Minister Han: "Invest More Time in Persuasion"

Kim Eun-hye, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on March 15 at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul regarding the recent announcement by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the reform plan of the working hours system. Chief Kim stated, "The maximum weekly working hours should be determined after more carefully listening to the opinions of labor underdogs."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, on the 27th of the same month, President Yoon instructed the cabinet at a senior secretaries meeting, “Even policies that do not involve bills or budgets should be closely coordinated between the ruling party and the government,” and “Ensure that public opinion is sufficiently reflected in the process.” The labor hour reform plan stalled due to immature media response and insufficient public opinion gathering, compounded by the public disclosure of unrefined discussions such as the military service exemption bill for men with multiple children.

Prime Minister Han also hinted at changes ahead of his first anniversary in office. On the 17th of last month, at the Government Complex Sejong, he said, “There have been significant difficulties in securing momentum because communication was not well conveyed during policy announcements and public opinion gathering,” and added, “Rather, it is very necessary to reverse the order and disclose important issues first so that the public can support them.” He also mentioned, “We will invest more time in persuading stakeholders, the media, and civic groups.”

With next year’s general election approaching, the ruling party’s demand to properly communicate the government’s achievements also played a role. On the 13th, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun urged during government questioning, “It is important to satisfy public safety and reassurance regarding the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue,” and “We must gain reassurance through public promotion and persuasion.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.