On January 20, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized at the 2nd State Council meeting held at the Blue House that policy announcements must be followed by thorough on-site checks and prompt improvements to ensure citizens truly feel the impact of government actions. He stated that genuine achievements are only realized when the quality of life for the people is tangibly improved. The meeting covered a range of livelihood policies and current issues, with President Lee repeatedly stressing the importance of field-oriented governance. Key topics included winter cold wave measures, responses to North Korean drones, and innovation within the civil service.
President Lee noted that the 2025 government task satisfaction survey showed the highest evaluation of government performance since the survey began in 2013. He highlighted policies such as tax reductions for multi-child worker households, a basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities, and the ‘Everyone’s Card’ initiative. Specific measures were also introduced, including the National Tax Service’s policy to extinguish payment obligations for livelihood-related tax arrears up to 50 million KRW, the Ministry of Justice’s emergency living support for crime victims, and the right for commercial tenants to request management fee details. Additionally, 19 ministries jointly reported on the ‘2026 Changing Livelihood Policies.’
Regarding the North Korean drone issue, President Lee called for strict investigations and sanctions against illegal drone intrusions, emphasizing the need for swift and thorough action by investigative agencies. He warned that heightened tensions and confrontation between the two Koreas could negatively affect the economy and urged efforts to maintain trust and prevent hostility. The President also praised the changing attitudes and dedication of public officials, encouraging the discovery and rewarding of exemplary cases. He instructed research into designating Hyochang Park as a national park to improve public accessibility.
President Lee criticized the slow legislative process for regulatory reforms and urged the National Assembly to accelerate livelihood-related laws. He stressed the need to expand one-stop applications for complex civil complaints and strengthen the right to request management fee details, aiming to enhance public convenience. The President called on ministries and local governments to focus on field-based policy implementation, increase management personnel, and explore job creation measures. Moving forward, continuous policy improvements and on-site inspections are expected to remain central to government operations.
President Lee’s remarks underscore the significance of field-oriented governance and transparent disclosure of policy outcomes. By emphasizing inter-ministerial cooperation and swift responses to security and livelihood issues, the administration aims to build public trust and ensure social stability. The focus on tangible improvements and direct citizen engagement sets a strong precedent for sustainable and citizen-centered governance in South Korea.