President Lee Meets with Direct Advisory Bodies: "Time to Achieve Tangible Results... Share Your Honest Opinions" (Comprehensive)

Meeting with Presidential Advisory Committees

"Criticism Should Be Free, But Organizational Principles Must Be Understood"

"Please Deliver Advisory Results Through Various Channels"


Kim Sungsik: "Request to Change Committee Budget

On May 21, President Lee Jae-myung met with members of the Presidential Advisory Councils and Committees and urged them, "Please actively engage in activities that consolidate the essential functions and opinions of each committee, develop policy alternatives, and monitor the state of national affairs."

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

During his opening remarks at the Presidential Advisory Council and Committee Meeting held at the Blue House earlier that morning under the theme "Envisioning Korea's Future Together," President Lee stated, "Over the past year, we have focused mainly on normalizing various domestic systems and situations that were disordered or abnormal. From now on, it is time to deliver tangible results that can truly improve the lives of our people, guided by a new vision."

President Lee emphasized the importance of advisory bodies in state administration. He said, "Although we execute state affairs through relevant officials and public servants, that alone is not nearly enough. That is why we invite experts like yourselves, listen to your valuable advice, receive policy proposals, and, when necessary, seek your counsel."

The meeting was attended by key representatives from major Presidential Advisory Councils and Committees, including the National Unification Advisory Council, National Committee on Climate Crisis Response, Regulatory Reform Committee, Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, National Science and Technology Advisory Council, Basic Social Policy Committee, National AI Strategy Committee, National Space Council, Economic, Social and Labor Council, National Integration Committee, and the Presidential Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Policy.

President Lee also expressed his intention to broaden contact with these advisory bodies. He remarked, "In the past, I often heard of cases where people received their letter of appointment but never met the president even once during their term. Looking at it now, I realize there is a high chance that I could end up the same way." However, he acknowledged that "there are, in fact, many committees, and it is not easy to meet with each one several times for direct conversations," and added, "Going forward, I am considering occasionally holding meetings with the committee chairs or convening plenary sessions."

President Lee requested that the results of the advisory bodies be communicated not only through official administrative systems but also via various alternative communication channels. He said, "You may submit your proposals to me through the official system. It can be done via the administrative system, and I have also created dedicated chat rooms for this purpose." He continued, "Whenever I have the time, I do go through all the conversations you have there—even if I cannot read every single message, I try to review them all. If you have something to tell me directly, please use that channel to share your individual views."

Additionally, President Lee said, "In the past, government officials had to walk around neighborhoods to see how the world was turning. But these days, there is no need for that. By simply browsing various online communities and social media, I can see how things are going, including all the criticism and negative remarks directed at me. It is extremely helpful."

President Lee also called on advisory committee members to provide candid criticism and advice. He said, "Please be completely open and honest with your opinions. Feel free to criticize and advise as much as you wish. These advisory bodies are also part of the national institutions, and I believe you are well aware that the principles of a structured organization apply here as well."

President Lee also addressed improving the treatment of advisory committee members. He commented, "It is not just the chairs and vice-chairs, but sometimes I feel that the treatment of the committee members is far too inadequate. These are individuals who bring their professional expertise and precious time, yet the actual compensation is severely lacking." President Lee added, "The government is not a poor organization, nor is it in a position to demand personal sacrifice and devotion from talented individuals. We are preparing to ensure sufficient compensation."

He then instructed Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik, who was present, "Please take good care of this, Chief Secretary. Let's make business trips and related matters more realistic, and let's not demand unnecessary sacrifices."

Committee Chairs Request Enhanced Presidential Feedback and Expanded Support for Administrative Personnel and Budgets

During the subsequent closed-door discussion, the committees reported on the status of their work and freely exchanged opinions. The committee chairs requested, among other things, ▲ more active feedback from the Office of the President to strengthen the substance of the advisory process ▲ and expanded support for administrative staff and budget.

Kim Seong-sik, Vice Chair of the National Economic Advisory Council, said, "During the previous administration, the low budget execution rate of the committee led to automatic budget cuts," and requested that the budget allocation standard be changed to that of 2022. President Lee responded, "We cannot invite such valuable experts and have their work hindered or inconvenienced by budget constraints. The policy chief and the chief secretary will make sure to pay sufficient attention to this."

Lee Seok-yeon, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, pledged, "For true national unity and reconciliation, those who have and those in power must first reach out and pave the way for everyone to move forward together. I will take the lead to ensure that integration becomes a grand festival for all the people."

Kim Won-jung, Chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Hub City of Asian Culture, commented, "Due to regional limitations associated with Gwangju, it is often evaluated that we have not yet achieved national competitiveness as an Asian cultural hub city. I am determined to build a new city where the entire city operates with a culture embodying the Gwangju spirit. I make this commitment in the spirit of the independence movement." In response, President Lee said, "When the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City is launched, there will be special financial support, so there are plenty of ways to make this happen. More important than building physical infrastructure is securing content," and he called for policies to infuse the artistic and cultural mindset of the private sector into the public sector.

President Lee also addressed the Future National Defense Strategy Committee, saying, "The difference in the military's response during the Gwangju 5.18 Democratic Movement and the December coup two years ago was due to the democratic values and civic awareness among the soldiers, and the prevailing sense that 'this is not right' as you move down the ranks. That is why democratization and culture within the military are so important." To Baek Jongwoo, Chair of the National Life Safety Committee, he said, "One of our government's core tasks is to reduce the suicide rate, which ranks among the highest in the world. Please study this issue carefully and prepare practical measures, especially for depression."

To Kim Jin-ae, Chair of the National Architectural Policy Committee, President Lee said, "We held a design competition for the President's Sejong Office, hoping that the submissions would reflect Korea through traditional architectural styles, but none of the entries did. I am disappointed." He further instructed the presidential committees to make proposals freely, without being constrained by formalities, regulations, or procedures.

President Lee reiterated, "All presidential committees are important; none are insignificant. We are seeking to leverage the capabilities of the private sector for support, so I urge you to be active and demonstrate your abilities through your work."

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