President Lee Jae-myung on Friday became the first Korean president to live-stream ministerial briefings, demanding accountability and speed from government agencies while closely monitoring progress on his previous directives.
During the session at the Sejong Convention Center, Lee praised well-performing agencies but did not hesitate to rebuke those falling short. He also lightened the tense atmosphere with occasional jokes throughout the briefing.
Pointed Questions and Sharp Rebukes
The first briefings came from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Data Agency, the National Tax Service, the Korea Customs Service, and the Public Procurement Service.
After receiving an eight-minute report from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Lee examined policies ranging from macroeconomic issues such as fiscal measures to reduce inequality and rationalization of economic penalties, to consumer-focused initiatives including telecom bill safety options and distribution reforms for price stabilization.
Lee praised National Tax Service Commissioner Lim Kwang-hyun, saying "It seems you've been working hard lately," before asking about progress on integrated management of non-tax revenue that he had previously requested. When Lim replied that legal grounds needed to be established, Lee said, "I'm debating whether to ask what you've been doing all this time," emphasizing the need for faster implementation.
The president was even more pointed with the Korea Customs Service. When Commissioner Lee Myung-gu reported on drug enforcement, Lee asked whether additional personnel had been deployed to inspect express mail shipments as he had directed. When the commissioner cited staffing limitations and said inspections were only being conducted at one location, Lee responded sharply: "That's why I told you to do it. Why hasn't staffing been reinforced? It's been months since I gave this instruction, and this issue still hasn't been resolved?"
He added: "Citizens pay taxes so the government can do what's necessary — to protect lives and safety and create better lives. Saying we can't conduct drug inspections because of insufficient personnel is unacceptable."
"The Nation's Fate Is at Stake"
Lee repeatedly emphasized the weight of responsibility that public servants carry. "You hold the lives of 52 million citizens in your hands," he told attendees. "You have enormous power that can entirely determine the nation's fate and individual lives."
He described the current moment as a critical juncture: "The international order is turbulent, and domestically, I believe we stand at a turning point. Like a water droplet that flows to the East Sea if it falls left, or to the West Sea if it falls right — we're at a fateful point."
On personnel matters, Lee pledged transparency and fairness, saying: "If there are problems, send me a Telegram message. I will correct it immediately."
Jokes and Personal Anecdotes
Despite the intense questioning, Lee used humor to ease tensions. After the National Data Agency briefing, he turned to Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, saying, "You're back in your hometown — any remarks?" Then he joked, "Hoon-sik, did you buy land in Sejong?" drawing laughter from attendees.
Kang, a three-term lawmaker from Asan in South Chungcheong Province about 40 kilometers from Sejong, has been mentioned in political circles as a potential candidate for South Chungcheong governor.
Lee also shared personal context to emphasize policy needs. During the Ministry of Employment and Labor briefing, while criticizing low disability employment rates among companies, he mentioned: "I'm also a person with a disability, albeit mild." He added, "Include me in the statistics regardless of whether it's mild or severe," noting that companies failing to meet quotas often seek help placing disabled workers elsewhere.
When Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities Chairman Lee Jong-sung explained that penalties for non-compliance range from 60 to 100 percent of the minimum wage, Lee suggested raising the floor: "Sixty percent of minimum wage — that needs to go up. Laws are meant to be followed."
Lee is scheduled to receive briefings from 19 ministries, 5 agencies, 18 services, and 7 commissions by year-end.
