President Lee Jae-myung stated on November 5 that the public, as the true owners of the government, should have access to decision-making processes, affirming his commitment to transparency in governance.
During the first episode of the YouTube program 'The President's Y,' Lee responded to a question comparing the live broadcast of cabinet meetings to a restaurant with an open kitchen. He asked, "If cabinet meetings were public, would martial law have been possible?" He added, "Secretive actions are done in hidden places."
Lee emphasized that the public matters handled by the president are not personal but belong to the citizens. He stated, "We should show the owners how decisions are made and what issues arise as much as possible."
However, he clarified that not all government issues would be made public. Lee explained, "We will categorize matters that are suitable for public discussion and those that should remain confidential."
He pointed out that governing is different from providing services in a restaurant. "Government belongs to the people," he said, adding that the public should be able to see how their representatives work, rather than having barriers that prevent them from observing.
While the choice to view cabinet meetings lies with the public, Lee asserted that those who wish to watch should have the opportunity. He remarked, "Whether to watch or not is a matter of freedom. It seems that not many people are watching the cabinet meetings, but if they want to, they can check it out."
Lee acknowledged the risks of mistakes and inappropriate expressions during live broadcasts. He stated, "Can we say there are no side effects? There are advantages and disadvantages, and errors or inappropriate comments may be exposed. However, I believe it is still manageable at this point."
He admitted to making a mistake in presenting suicide statistics during a recent cabinet meeting, acknowledging that he misrepresented the figures shown on screen. "I misspoke," he said, adding, "If there are errors, they can be corrected. That does not justify not being transparent."
Lee explained that transparency is a way to build trust in governance. He expressed his preference for openness, linking it to the appointment and activities of special inspectors.
He noted that having special inspectors monitoring the president's surroundings serves as a preventive measure against misconduct. Lee stated, "Whether they are aides or family members, if they think that special inspectors can come in at any time, they will be more cautious. This has a preventive effect on dangerous situations and increases trust, so I plan to continue this practice."
Lee defined transparency and direct communication as the foundation of his political career. He remarked, "If I had not communicated directly with the people, I probably would not be in this position today," expressing his belief in the collective wisdom of the public.
While he acknowledged the essential role of the media in information dissemination, he emphasized that it is not sufficient on its own, stating that direct communication with the public is like a "lifeline" for him.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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