President Lee Meets with Advisory Bodies: "Time for Tangible Results... Share Your Candid Opinions"

Meeting with Presidential Advisory Bodies
"Criticism Should Be Free, But Principles of Organization Must Be Understood"
"Please Deliver Advisory Results Through Various Channels"
"Considering Occasional Full Committee Sessions"

President Lee Jae-myung met with officials from various presidential advisory councils and committees on the 21st and said, "I ask that each committee actively engage in consolidating their essential functions and opinions, developing policy alternatives, and monitoring the state of national affairs."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Advisory Council and Committee Meeting held at the Blue House on the 21st. Photo by Cheongwadae News Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

During his opening remarks at the presidential advisory council and committee meeting held at the Blue House that morning under the theme "Drawing the Future of Korea Together," President Lee stated, "Over the past year, our main focus has been on normalizing the various domestic systems and situations that had become disorganized or abnormal. Now, it is time to move forward with a new vision and deliver tangible results that genuinely improve people's lives."

President Lee emphasized the important role of advisory bodies in the administration of state affairs. He said, "Although government officials and public servants implement state policy, that alone is far from sufficient. That is why you, with your expertise, have been invited to provide necessary advice, policy proposals, and, when needed, consultations."

The meeting was attended by key personnel from major presidential advisory bodies and committees, including the National Unification Advisory Council, the National Council on Climate Crisis Response, the Regulatory Reform Committee, the Presidential Committee on Low Fertility and Aging Society, the National Science and Technology Advisory Council, the Basic Social Committee, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, the National Space Committee, the Economic, Social and Labor Council, the National Integration Committee, and the Presidential Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries and Rural Affairs, among others.

President Lee also expressed his intention to broaden the points of contact with advisory bodies. He remarked, "I've often heard stories that, in the past, some appointees never even met the president after receiving their appointment letters, not even once during the entire term. Observing this, I realized the same could easily happen to me." However, he added, "There are actually a large number of committees, and meeting with each of them multiple times for direct conversations is not easy. So, moving forward, I am considering holding occasional meetings with the committee chairs or even convening plenary sessions."

President Lee requested that the outcomes of the advisory bodies be communicated not only through official administrative systems but also through a variety of separate communication channels. He said, "You may submit your proposals to me through the official system. You can use the administrative system, and I have also set up a dedicated chat room." He continued, "Whenever I have time, I try to review the conversations in there, even if I can't read everything. If you have something you want to say to me directly, please use that route to share your individual opinions."

President Lee further commented, "In the past, those running the government would sometimes walk around neighborhoods just to figure out how the world was changing. Nowadays, that's no longer necessary. Simply by browsing through various online communities and social networks, I can see what's going on, including all the criticism and complaints about me. It is extremely helpful."

President Lee called on advisory body members to be frank in their criticism and advice. He said, "Please share your opinions openly and honestly. Criticism and advice are welcome, and you should feel completely free. Keep in mind that this is part of a national institution and that the principles of an organized body are at work here, as I trust you already know."

He also addressed the issue of improving the treatment of advisory committee members. President Lee remarked, "While this also applies to the committee chairs and vice-chairs, I sometimes feel the treatment of committee members is extremely inadequate. You all have valuable expertise and have set aside your precious time, yet the actual compensation is greatly lacking." He continued, "The government is not a poor organization, nor should it be necessary to ask talented individuals to make personal sacrifices or endure hardship. We are preparing to ensure that you are sufficiently compensated."

He then directed these remarks to Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who was present, saying, "I ask the chief of staff to take good care of this. Let's make sure business trips and related matters are handled realistically, and let's not ask for unnecessary sacrifices."

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