President Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday that "excess tax revenue should above all be invested in raising the growth potential of future generations and the Republic of Korea."
Lee, who has set "becoming an industrial powerhouse with a vast lead" as a core goal for the second year of his administration, repeatedly stressed that "now is the time to invest for the future." He expressed his determination to cultivate next-generation growth engines in industrial sectors beyond semiconductors.
Lee made the remarks at a press conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, held at the Yeongbingwan state guesthouse near the former presidential office. Responding to the argument that government bonds should be prepaid first when excess tax revenue arises, he called it "one of the most foolish things." The government plans to create an independent fund to separately manage and operate excess tax revenue, using it as a source of funding for future investment.
Lee also signaled tough real estate measures, saying "breaking away from being a republic of property speculation is the way for this country to survive." He pointed out that "our country's property holding taxes are generally low," adding that "even if you buy and hoard a lot, there is little burden." He then stressed that "there will be no change in the administration's policy direction."
He also personally explained the reasoning behind nominating Han Seong-sook as prime minister candidate. "I judged that the party would handle the political factors well, and that candidate Han is the right person to ensure the cabinet can sprint at full force within the given environment," Lee said.
Regarding the defeat in the Seoul mayoral election, he assessed it as "a warning from the people," saying "if we lost a place we should have won, it is at the least not a success."
On the ballot paper shortage incident, Lee called it "an absurd matter," adding that "I think the young people who pointed out this problem are truly precious and worthy of respect."
After the press conference, Lee met with the leaders of the four branches of government and moved to follow-up measures, including discussing the preparation of a "sweeping election management reform plan." The presidential office explained that "depending on the results of investigations or parliamentary inquiries, those responsible must be held strictly accountable administratively and legally, and that a sweeping election management reform plan will be prepared at a level that can restore public trust."
