President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a tour of Europe, will chair a video meeting of senior secretaries from Italy on June 14 to review the state audit of the National Election Commission (NEC) and the progress of an investigation into a ballot paper shortage. The move aims to maintain continuity in state affairs by personally overseeing key issues during his 10-day, eight-night overseas trip.
Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential spokesperson, said at a briefing at the press center in Rome, Italy on Wednesday that Lee would "chair a video meeting of senior secretaries at 2 p.m. local time in Italy on June 14, or 9 p.m. Korea time." She added, "To minimize gaps in state affairs during the trip, he plans to hold the meeting directly from Italy and receive reports on major issues."
The meeting is expected to focus on follow-up responses to the controversy over widespread mismanagement revealed in the election process and the ballot paper shortage.
Kang explained, "He will receive reports and hold discussions in sequence on the NEC state audit and system reform plan prepared by the Office of Political Affairs, the launch of a joint prosecution-police investigation headquarters and the investigation status regarding the ballot paper shortage prepared by the Office of Civil Affairs, and trends in the foreign exchange and financial markets and inflation measures from the Office of Economic Growth."
Because Lee will be unable to chair the senior secretaries' meeting, normally held on Thursdays, on June 18 due to his extended overseas schedule, he has convened the meeting for Friday, June 19, immediately after his return. Kang said, "At the June 19 senior secretaries' meeting, he will focus on reviewing the response system for summer natural disasters," adding, "President Lee plans to prioritize people's livelihoods and public safety immediately upon his return."
A senior presidential official explained, "Since various issues can arise domestically even during the trip, the video meeting is being held to review them," noting, "Video meetings were also held several times in the past, such as during the APEC preparation process, when the staff were divided between home and abroad." He added, "Please understand this presidential senior secretaries' meeting as an extension of efforts for the seamless management of state affairs."
