President Lee Jae-myung stated that the government should not be overly concerned about criticism regarding policy changes made in response to National Assembly feedback. During a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House, he emphasized that while the government should strive to present the best proposals, it is normal for policies to evolve during the legislative review process.
Lee remarked, "Some articles criticize the government for being inconsistent when it accepts the National Assembly's opinions and modifies policies, while others label it unilateral when agreements are not reached with the Assembly." He pointed out that criticism can arise regardless of the government's actions, saying, "Whether we move forward or backward, whether we stand still or sit down, there are instances where we are criticized for simply lying down."
He urged that policies should naturally be proposed by the government and finalized through the Assembly's review, adding, "While the government must create the best proposals, I hope we remain steadfast even if changes occur during the legislative process."
Lee also applied the same principles to the upcoming budget review, instructing that unnecessary expenditures should be boldly adjusted while focusing on key national tasks such as fostering super-gap growth, alleviating K-shaped polarization, promoting balanced development, nurturing talent, and building a future ladder for youth.
He called for enhanced communication and public relations regarding policies, stressing the need for immediate responses to any misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Changes in tax expenditures and tax systems should be clearly explained to the public.
Lee emphasized the importance of precisely distinguishing policy terminology and proactively explaining it to the relevant parties.
During the Cabinet meeting, a total of 58 items were reviewed and approved, including four bills, 15 presidential decrees, and 38 general matters. Among these, 12 laws pertain to the national agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Among the approved measures was an amendment to the Public Finance Recovery Act, which imposes penalties for failing to implement protective measures for whistleblowers reporting fraudulent claims against public finances. An amendment to the Procurement Business Act was also passed, imposing fines on companies that fail to submit required documents or provide false information during investigations of unfair procurement practices.
Additionally, an amendment to the Basic Firefighting Act mandates insurance and mutual aid subscriptions for the Fire Chief and local governors to cover damages incurred during firefighting operations. A regulation clarifying the scope and procedures for the National Intelligence Service's response to international criminal organizations was also approved. Furthermore, an amendment to the Small and Medium Enterprise Startup Support Act reduced the period during which a business is not recognized as a startup from three years to one year when reopening in the same industry after closure.
The meeting also included reports from five ministries on emergency national governance and response related to the Middle East conflict, achievements in developing independent AI models, strategies for realizing an AI democratic government, integration of high-speed rail, and follow-up actions on work reports.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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