South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung administration marked its first anniversary on May 22, 2026, with three major policy announcements covering government reform, AI-focused education, and summer climate preparedness.
National Normalization Project: 164 Reform Tasks Confirmed
The Office for Government Policy Coordination formally confirmed 164 first-phase tasks under the National Normalization Project, developed by a cross-government task force involving 50 central ministries. Tasks fall into five categories: structural corruption (20), exploitation of legal loopholes (47), profiteering from government negligence (27), outdated regulations (44), and laws disconnected from public values (19). Key measures include rationalizing school zone speed limits and cracking down on fraudulent use of traditional market gift vouchers. The government also designated seven major social evils for eradication: drugs, voice phishing, illegal real estate transactions, stock price manipulation, delinquent high-value taxes, serious industrial accidents, and fraudulent subsidy claims.
AI Education Expansion and State-Guaranteed Childcare
The Ministry of Education reported that AI-focused schools now cover 27.7% of all K-12 schools (3,307 schools). The Digital Sprout program provided after-school AI education to 317,000 students. The ministry is training 7,000 AI lead teachers and introduced a fast-track integrated bachelor-to-doctorate program (5.5 years). Full-day elementary care (늘봄학교) is being expanded nationwide to reduce childcare gaps for dual-income households.
Summer 2026: Above-Average Heat and Rainfall Forecast
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecasts above-average temperatures from June to August 2026, with a 60% probability in June-July and 50% in August. Rainfall is also expected to be above average in June and July. The KMA is introducing new alert systems: a Major Heat Wave Warning, a Tropical Night Advisory, and emergency text notifications for catastrophic rainfall events.
- 164 reform tasks confirmed across 50 ministries
- School zone speed limit rationalization included as a key measure
- 7 major social evils targeted for eradication
- AI-focused schools: 3,307 (27.7% of all K-12 schools)
- Summer 2026: above-average heat and rainfall likely in June-July
- New weather alerts: Major Heat Wave Warning, Tropical Night Advisory
Sources: National Normalization Project (korea.kr) | AI Education Reform (korea.kr) | KMA Summer Forecast (korea.kr)
Source: https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148965011&call_from=rsslink