President Lee’s Korea Policy Daily

[Presidential Schedule] July 24, 2025 – Senior Secretary Meeting, Korea-Germany Summit Call, Korea-Uzbekistan Summit Call 📅 Overview Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Location: Presidential Office, Seoul Main Events: 14:00 – 5th Senior Secretary Meeting; 17:15 – Korea-Germany Summit Call; 18:00 – Korea-Uzbekistan Summit Call The day combined domestic policy coordination with high-level diplomacy spanning Europe and Central Asia. It demonstrated a leadership style that addresses internal governance and external strategy in the same day. 🕑 14:00 – 5th Senior Secretary Meeting This meeting gathers the President and senior aides to review key national issues. Each senior secretary reports on their respective domain, and the President sets policy direction and priorities. Likely topics included flood recovery measures, coordination of economic policy for the second half of the year, livelihood stabilization, and strategic planning for upcoming diplomati...

[Presidential Schedule] July 23, 2025 – Appointment Ceremony, Korea-Kazakhstan Summit Call, Korea-Sweden Summit Call 📅 Overview Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Location: Presidential Office, Seoul Main Events: 10:30 – Appointment & Commissioning Ceremony; 15:00 – Korea-Kazakhstan Summit Call; 17:00 – Korea-Sweden Summit Call This day saw a blend of domestic governance and high-level diplomacy. The morning focused on officially appointing and commissioning key government and committee figures, while the afternoon was dedicated to expanding Korea’s diplomatic and economic reach through summit calls with Kazakhstan and Sweden. 🕥 10:30 – Appointment & Commissioning Ceremony The ceremony is more than a formal handover—it underscores policy direction and accountability . The President likely addressed newly appointed ministers, vice ministers, and heads of major national committees, stressing policy priorities, public trust, anti-corruption measur...

July 22, 2025 – Presidential Schedule: Cabinet Meeting & Korea-Qatar Summit Call [Presidential Schedule] July 22, 2025 – 32nd Cabinet Meeting, Korea-Qatar Summit Call 📅 Overview Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Location: Presidential Office, Seoul Main Items: 10:00 – 32nd Cabinet Meeting; 18:00 – Korea-Qatar Summit Call This day combined two major functions of governance: domestic policy coordination via the Cabinet Meeting, and foreign policy advancement through direct summit-level communication with Qatar. The sequence underscored a balance between domestic governance and external strategic partnerships . 🕙 10:00 – 32nd Cabinet Meeting The Cabinet Meeting is the top deliberative and decision-making body of the Korean government, involving the President, Prime Minister, and Ministers. On this day, discussions likely included special disaster zone designations for recent flood-hit areas, budget allocations for emergency relief and recove...

[Presidential Schedule] July 21, 2025 – Weekly PM Briefing, Integrated Flood Response HQ Inspection, and Sancheong Recovery Site Visit Overview Date: Monday, July 21, 2025 Locations: Presidential Office (Seoul); Sancheong-eup, Gyeongsangnam-do Key Items: Weekly Prime Minister briefing; inspection of the Integrated Flood Response Headquarters; on-site review of recovery efforts in Sancheong-eup. This schedule centered on end-to-end disaster governance: high-level policy coordination in Seoul followed by immediate, field-based validation in a region hit by torrential rain. By combining a Cabinet‑level briefing with an on‑site inspection and community engagement, the administration emphasized speed, transparency, and practical support for affected residents. Detailed Timeline 12:00 — Weekly PM Briefing / Presidential Office A standing Monday session to coordinate cross‑government priorities. On this date, the focus was flood impacts, emergency rel...

Presidential Schedule – July 16, 2025: “Dialogue of Remembrance, Comfort, and Healing” (Cheong Wa Dae State Guest House) On July 16, 2025 (KST) , President Lee Jae-myung hosted a public conversation titled “Dialogue of Remembrance, Comfort, and Healing” at the Cheong Wa Dae State Guest House . The session invited families, frontline workers, experts, and community representatives to reflect on shared losses, listen to first-hand experiences, and identify concrete follow-up actions for institutional improvement and trauma support. At a Glance 15:00 “Dialogue of Remembrance, Comfort, and Healing” / Cheong Wa Dae State Guest House Why this matters National remembrance policies are effective only when they lead to institutional learning and preventive reform . By convening the dialogue at an official venue, the administration signals that testimonies will be translated into policy changes—clarifying responsibilities across ministries, setting measurable mil...

Presidential Schedule – July 14, 2025: Lecture for New Grade 5 Managers & Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass Visit On July 14, 2025 (KST) , President Lee Jae-myung focused on two priorities: strengthening public-sector leadership and checking urban safety infrastructure. The morning program at the National Human Resources Development Institute (NHI) included a lecture for new Grade 5 managers and a luncheon discussion with trainees. In the afternoon, the President conducted an on-site safety inspection at the Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass , a location vulnerable to heavy-rain flooding. At a Glance 10:30 Lecture for new Grade 5 managers / National Human Resources Development Institute 12:20 Luncheon with trainees / National Human Resources Development Institute 13:40 Visit to Gungpyeong 2nd Underpass (on-site safety check) Why it matters Grade 5 managers are the backbone of Korea’s civil service—they translate policy into execution and coordinate across t...

[Presidential Briefing] “No more bread soaked in tears” — President Lee’s on-site pledge to end repeated industrial accidents (July 25, 2025) Overview On July 25, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., President Lee Jae-myung visited the SPC Samlip plant in Siheung, the site of a recent fatal industrial accident. Joined by SPC leadership, front-line workers, and peers from the food manufacturing sector, the President condemned the recurrence of identical accidents in the same workplaces and demanded practical, field-ready measures rather than “performative checklists.” SPC announced a set of safety upgrades, and CJ Foodville and Crown Confectionery shared best practices. The President also spent time listening to workers’ first-hand accounts and requests. Key Message & Meaning From empathy to execution: “No more bread soaked in tears.” Framing safety as an issue of human dignity rather than a mere cost item, President Lee — a former wor...

[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Emphasizes 'National Integrity and Public Welfare' at 5th Senior Aides Meeting (July 24, 2025) 📌 Overview On July 24, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the 5th Senior Aides Meeting. Key topics included migrant worker rights, public servant discipline, environmental clean-up efforts, and judicial responsiveness to daily life issues. This meeting highlighted the dual focus of national dignity and the well-being of the people. 1. Human Rights for Migrant Workers: A National Reputation Issue President Lee expressed deep concern over the human rights violations faced by migrant workers, calling such abuses a "serious tarnish on national dignity." Migrant workers have become a vital part of Korea’s economy, especially amid labor shortages driven by an aging population. However, they often suffer from wage theft, unsafe conditions, and discrimination. By addressing this issue publicly, the president signale...

Kang Sun-woo Resigns as Minister of Gender Equality and Family Nominee (July 23, 2025) 📌 Nominee Kang Sun-woo Steps Down Before Appointment On July 23, 2025, Kang Sun-woo, who had been nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, announced her voluntary resignation. The decision came amidst growing public scrutiny and media pressure during the vetting process. Kang informed Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik of her decision at 2:30 PM. The resignation was then promptly reported to President Lee Jae-myung. Roughly an hour later, Kang made a public announcement via her social media channels. 🔎 Background: Ministry Direction and Political Implications The resignation of Kang Sun-woo carries implications beyond a personnel change. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has long been a subject of political debate regarding its necessity and scope. Under the Lee administration, the ministry’s functions are being restructured, not abolished—making the fi...

[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Holds First Phone Call with Emir of Qatar (July 22, 2025) 📞 President Lee's First Official Dialogue with Middle East Leader On July 22, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea held his first official phone call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. This conversation marked the beginning of a new phase in South Korea–Middle East diplomacy under the Lee administration. President Lee expressed appreciation for the Emir’s congratulations and praised Qatar’s development efforts under his leadership. Both leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship beyond traditional cooperation, expanding into digital industries, national defense, infrastructure, and sports diplomacy. 🌐 Strategic Expansion Beyond Energy Traditionally, Korea-Qatar cooperation focused on LNG and plant construction. However, the two nations now aim to broaden collaboration into AI, smart cities, and high-value technology sectors....

[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Declares Special Disaster Zones for Flood Damage (July 22, 2025) 📌 Key Points from the Presidential Spokesperson's Statement On the evening of July 22, 2025, at 6:44 PM, President Lee Jae-myung declared six municipalities as Special Disaster Zones due to severe flooding. The designated areas are: Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province Seosan City, South Chungcheong Province Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province Damyang County, South Jeolla Province Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province Hapcheon County, South Gyeongsang Province This declaration aims to promptly support recovery efforts and restore daily life for the affected residents. It enables urgent administrative measures and expanded financial assistance. 🛠 Government Support for Special Disaster Zones The affected areas and their residents are now eligible for the following support measures: 1. Increased National Budget Suppo...

[Presidential Briefing] Key Highlights from the 32nd Cabinet Meeting Chaired by President Lee Jae-myung (July 22, 2025) 📢 Summary of the Meeting On the morning of July 22, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the 32nd Cabinet Meeting. Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung delivered a comprehensive briefing outlining the key discussions and directives issued during the session. A total of 20 items were reviewed, including 1 legislative bill, 18 presidential decree proposals, and 1 general agenda item. Alongside the formal decisions, President Lee issued important remarks during a closed-door session. 🌐 Reassessment of Foreign Aid Programs President Lee ordered a thorough review of Korea’s international aid projects, stating that some initiatives were “difficult to justify” despite costing billions annually. He requested a report evaluating whether each program aligns with Korea’s diplomatic and national interest objectives. 🎮 Regulation of Randomized In-Game Items...

[Presidential Briefing] Presidential Secretary for National Unity Kang Joon-wook Resigns Voluntarily (July 22, 2025) 📢 Official Announcement from Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung On July 22, 2025, South Korea's Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung announced that Kang Joon-wook, the Secretary for National Unity, voluntarily submitted his resignation earlier that morning. This position was newly created under President Lee Jae-myung’s administration to symbolize the importance of unity in overcoming national crises. Kang was appointed through recommendations from the conservative bloc, reflecting the President’s intent to embrace citizens regardless of political affiliation. 🔍 Background of the Resignation Despite the symbolic nature of the appointment, public criticism emerged shortly after Kang took office. Many questioned whether he aligned with the principles of the people-centered government President Lee had envisioned. Civil society and media raised concer...

[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Withdraws Appeal in KBS President Dismissal Case (July 21, 2025) 📢 Key Briefing by Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung On July 21, 2025, Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung officially announced that President Lee Jae-myung had withdrawn the government's appeal in the dismissal lawsuit of former KBS President Kim Eui-cheol. According to the briefing, “President Lee submitted the appeal withdrawal to the appellate court handling the case on July 20,” signifying the administration’s respect for judicial decisions and its intention to correct the prior administration’s wrongful action. The initial case stemmed from former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s dismissal of Kim Eui-cheol during his term. On January 16, 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that “the dismissal was a misuse and abuse of discretion and therefore invalid.” 🗣️ President Lee's Message: “Respect for Court Decisions, Restoration of Public Broadcast...

Briefing on Chief Presidential Secretary Meeting (July 21, 2025) 📌 Summary of the Briefing by Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung On the afternoon of July 21, 2025, a meeting of senior presidential aides was held, presided over by Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik. Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung provided a briefing detailing the discussions, recent natural disaster responses, and upcoming government plans. 💬 “A Week That Highlighted Our Helplessness Before Nature” Chief Secretary Kang began by reflecting on the impact of the recent heavy rains, stating that "the past week has reminded us how powerless we are before nature" and emphasizing that in such times of crisis, the government must act as the last line of defense to protect its citizens. He urged swift recovery actions to provide solace to those affected by the floods. 🛠️ Ministers Actively Engaged in Field Responses Kang emphasized the administration’s on-site response: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok...