National Policy Planning Committee Begins Ministry Briefings in Sejong, Accelerates Pledge Implementation Plans

Three-Day On-Site Briefings at Sejong Government Complex, June 18-20
Focus on Whether Ministry of Economy and Finance Will Separate Budget Formulation Authority

The National Policy Planning Committee, which is leading the establishment of policy tasks for the Lee Jaemyung administration, will begin receiving briefings from individual ministries in Sejong City starting June 18. Through a review of the new administration's policy implementation status and feasibility, the detailed outline of the plans to fulfill campaign pledges is expected to emerge.

On the morning of June 18, the National Policy Planning Committee will kick off its first schedule at the Government Sejong Convention Center by receiving briefings from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Economic Division 1) and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Economic Division 2). These briefings will continue for three days until June 20, with each ministry presenting its report to the relevant division of the committee. The committee explained that holding the briefings in Sejong City underscores its emphasis on on-site engagement and practical effectiveness.

Cho Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Policy Planning Committee, stated at a regular briefing the previous day, "The first day of briefings will focus on economic growth and the recovery of people's livelihoods," adding, "This schedule essentially marks the point at which the committee is officially beginning its policy formulation work."

This round of ministry briefings will go beyond simply hearing status reports; the main focus will be on assessing the feasibility of fulfilling campaign pledges and the realization of key policy tasks. The committee plans to review the foundational framework of national governance, including institutional reforms, and will analyze the achievements and limitations of the previous administration to reflect them in the newly formulated policy agenda.

Yonhap News

One of the key points to watch is whether the Ministry of Economy and Finance's briefing will include discussion of separating budget formulation authority. President Lee Jaemyung has, since his candidacy, expressed concern about the excessive concentration of authority within the ministry. It is known that within the ruling bloc, there is active consideration of transferring the budget formulation function to the Budget Planning Office under the Prime Minister's Office to alleviate the concentration of power in the presidential office.

The National Policy Planning Committee's division in charge of policy planning is also expected to receive a report from the Office for Government Policy Coordination regarding the current status of regulatory reform. This report is said to include regulatory evaluation data by ministry from the previous Yoon Sukyeol administration, as well as some discussion on the direction of future organizational restructuring. In Economic Division 2, briefings will be conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Science and ICT, with discussions expected to focus on strategies to achieve President Lee's core pledge of making Korea one of the top three global leaders in artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, the possibility of elevating the Ministry of Science and ICT to a deputy prime minister-level ministry is a key topic.

In addition, the Political and Administrative Division will receive reports from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Police Agency, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The Social Division 1 will receive briefings from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, while Social Division 2 will receive reports from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Foreign Affairs and National Security Division will review North Korea policy and diplomatic direction through briefings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification. After the briefings, the National Policy Planning Committee plans to comprehensively review and coordinate each ministry’s campaign pledges and policy tasks before formulating concrete fiscal and budgetary plans.

On June 19, briefings are scheduled from the Financial Services Commission and Korea Customs Service (Economic Division 1); the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Korea Forest Service (Economic Division 2); the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Social Division 1); the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Ministry of Environment (Social Division 2); the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Personnel Management, and Ministry of Government Legislation (Political and Administrative Division); and the Ministry of National Defense (Foreign Affairs and National Security Division).

On June 20, the Fair Trade Commission (Economic Division 1), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Economic Division 2), the Korea Communications Commission (Social Division 2), and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (Political and Administrative Division) will present their briefings. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ report will also address the pledge to relocate the ministry to Busan.

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