President Lee Jae-myung presided over the 6th Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on June 24, emphasizing the need for agency heads to explicitly take responsibility for their departments. He highlighted that public officials often hesitate to act beyond routine duties due to concerns about blame or investigation. The President urged leaders to foster an environment where officials can confidently carry out their tasks. The initiative seeks to promote active, responsible administration and address the restrictive culture caused by fear of accountability.
The policy directly impacts government ministers, agency heads, and public officials across South Korea. President Lee noted that officials frequently avoid innovative actions, fearing repercussions if outcomes are questioned. He encouraged ministers to issue clear directives, assuring that responsibility lies with leadership, not subordinates. The President also referenced issues such as excessive building and shop management fees, calling for reforms to address widespread concerns affecting millions.
Implementation began with President Lee’s directive during the Cabinet meeting, urging immediate adoption by government leaders. He suggested practical measures such as written instructions and multiple policy options, with final decisions resting with ministers. The President stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue, reforming entrenched practices, and actively identifying hidden problems. The policy is positioned as part of broader efforts to balance innovation and reform within public administration.
Frequently asked questions include how responsibility will be clarified and what protections are offered to public officials. President Lee stated that written directives from ministers will shield officials from blame, as responsibility is assumed by agency heads. Another question concerns how reforms will address issues like excessive management fees; the President called for identifying and correcting such problems, potentially through institutional reform. The policy aims to create a culture of respect for proactive officials and ensure accountability is properly managed.
President Lee Jae-myung’s policy directive is grounded in the need to reform South Korea’s public administration by reducing fear of blame among officials. By requiring agency heads to explicitly assume responsibility and encouraging written directives, the policy seeks to empower public officials to act proactively. The emphasis on identifying and correcting issues such as excessive management fees shows a practical commitment to improving administrative practices. This initiative, if effectively implemented, could foster a culture of innovation and accountability within government agencies.