President Lee’s Korea Policy Daily

[Presidential Briefing] Dispatch of Special Envoys to Poland, Vietnam, Australia, and Germany — Customized Diplomacy to Expand National Interests (July 25, 2025) 🔎 Overview On July 25, 2025, the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea announced the dispatch of Special Envoys to four strategic partners— Poland, Vietnam, Australia, and Germany . The mission aims to proclaim the “Return of Democratic Korea” to the international community, present the new administration’s governing philosophy, and unlock tangible cooperation in defense industry , energy , critical minerals and supply chains , advanced manufacturing , digital , and AI . This is a practice-driven move aligning with the administration’s principles of national-interest-first, field-centered, and execution-focused diplomacy . 🌐 Why Now: Global Context The current world order is defined by overlapping transitions—supply-chain realignment, energy transition, technology-standard competition, and wide...

[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...

[Business Leaders Engagement] President Lee Holds Consecutive Meetings with Top Conglomerate Chiefs (July 24, 2025) Overview: A Series of Engagements with Business Leaders On July 24, 2025 , Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung announced that President Lee Jae-myung has met with Korea’s top business leaders for the second consecutive week. On July 21, he met with Kim Dong-kwan , Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group; on July 22, with Chey Tae-won , Chairman of SK Group; and on July 24, with Lee Jae-yong , Chairman of Samsung Electronics. Each meeting took the form of a dinner gathering without a formal agenda, focusing instead on free and wide-ranging exchanges of opinion. Why now? The context behind consecutive meetings These back-to-back engagements go beyond ceremonial exchanges—they carry both economic and political significance. President Lee, who has emphasized livelihood-focused economic recovery and private-sector-led growth since the start of his term, appears ...

[Korea–Uzbekistan Summit Call] Advancing the Special Strategic Partnership (July 24, 2025) Overview: President Lee’s first phone call with President Mirziyoyev On July 24, 2025 , President Lee Jae-myung held his first telephone conversation since taking office with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. Beyond ceremonial courtesy, the call functioned as an opening move to re-energize Korea–Uzbekistan ties and to add concrete substance to the two countries’ Special Strategic Partnership . The two leaders reaffirmed long-standing cooperation in transport and infrastructure , and signaled a shared intent to expand practical, mutually beneficial collaboration. Notably, President Lee asked for the Uzbek government’s attention and support for Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan—an explicit cue that Seoul’s economic diplomacy will prioritize business predictability and problem-solving on the ground. Key takeaways at a glance First leaders’ call: Reopens top...

[Korea-Germany Summit Call] President Lee and Chancellor Merz Discuss Strengthening Democratic and Trade-Based Cooperation (July 24, 2025) 📞 President Lee Jae-myung holds first phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz On July 24, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea held his first official phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This call marked a significant diplomatic milestone, as both countries recently inaugurated new administrations. The dialogue emphasized both symbolic resonance and the commitment to practical cooperation moving forward. President Lee congratulated Chancellor Merz on his inauguration and reflected on the 140-year history of Korea-Germany relations, dating back to the 1883 Treaty of Amity and Commerce. He emphasized the opportunity for the two new governments to advance bilateral ties through active communication and collaboration based on shared values. 🇰🇷🇩🇪 Shared values: Democracy and free trade Both lead...

[Meeting with Philosopher Kim Yong-ok] President Lee: "March 1st Movement Was Our Own Independence Revolution" (July 24, 2025) 📌 A Dialogue Between Philosophy and Practical Politics On July 24, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung hosted a luncheon with one of Korea’s most prominent philosophers, Kim Yong-ok, widely known as “Daoool.” This was more than a symbolic meeting—it marked a philosophical alignment between grassroots-driven politics and the intellectual foundation rooted in Korea’s historical and cultural legacy. Daoool’s striking comparison of President Lee to labor activist Jeon Tae-il, saying that “it’s like Jeon Tae-il becoming president,” underscored Lee’s identity as the president for the working class. The meeting affirmed the current administration’s direction as a government rooted in public service and historical consciousness. 🧭 Daoool’s Historical Framing: Re-defining the March 1st Movement Kim Yong-ok proposed that the March 1st Movement shoul...

President Lee Jae-myung Orders Civil Service Revitalization: A Reform Roadmap for Proactive Governance (July 24, 2025) 📌 Overview On July 24, 2025, during a senior aides’ meeting, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the need to revitalize Korea’s civil service by eliminating outdated systems and encouraging creative, proactive governance. He outlined five key reforms aimed at breaking the cycle of administrative stagnation and reinforcing public officials’ commitment to innovation and public service. 🔍 Background and Context Korea's civil service has long suffered from excessive post-government audits and legal scrutiny, often paralyzing public officials and deterring initiative. President Lee pointed out that following regime changes, necessary administrative actions have frequently been caught in political crossfire, reinforcing a passive culture among civil servants. 🛠️ The Five Core Reform Measures 1. Ending Over-Auditing of Past Administrations The Presi...

[Presidential Briefing] Clarification on Rubio Meeting Report and the Strength of the ROK-U.S. Alliance (July 24, 2025) 1. Purpose of Wi Seong-rak's U.S. Visit and High-Level Consultations On July 24, 2025, National Security Advisor Wi Seong-rak released an official written briefing to clarify reports claiming a failed meeting with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Rubio. The visit aimed to support upcoming sectoral economic negotiations through broad consultations on security and economic issues amid the approaching U.S. tariff decision deadline. During his visit, Wi met not only with Rubio but also with key U.S. officials including Deputy NSA Baker, Commerce Secretary Rutnik, USTR Representative Greer, and Under Secretary of State Hooker. Korea's Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-gu accompanied the meetings to deepen discussions on economic cooperation, highlighting the strategic scope of the visit. 2. False Reporting and Clarification on the Ru...

[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...

[Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Holds First Call with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (July 23, 2025) 📌 A New Diplomatic Chapter Between Korea and Sweden On July 23, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The call marked more than a congratulatory exchange — it served as a starting point for deepening bilateral cooperation in diplomacy, economy, security, and culture. 🧭 Historical Trust: Sweden’s Humanitarian Role on the Korean Peninsula Although Korea and Sweden established official diplomatic ties in 1959, their relationship goes back to the Korean War. As a neutral country, Sweden operated a field hospital for UN forces and provided humanitarian aid to Korean civilians and soldiers. This legacy continues today through Sweden's participation in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC), which monitors the Korean Armistice Agreement. President Lee acknowledged Sweden’s long-...

[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Holds First Phone Call with President Tokayev of Kazakhstan (July 23, 2025) 📞 A New Diplomatic Chapter Between Korea and Kazakhstan On July 23, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan. The dialogue marked a significant step toward enhancing strategic cooperation and deepening the relationship between the two nations. President Lee expressed his appreciation for President Tokayev’s congratulatory letter sent upon the launch of the new Korean administration. He emphasized the strong friendship and strategic partnership that have developed since the two countries signed their bilateral agreement in 2009. 🤝 Honoring History: Repatriation of General Hong Beom-do President Lee also expressed deep gratitude to President Tokayev for his active support in repatriating the remains of General Hong Beom-do under challenging circumstances. This act stands as a po...

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...

[Briefing] President Lee Strongly Criticizes Discriminatory Design in Consumer Voucher Cards (July 23, 2025) 📌 Overview On July 23, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung sharply criticized certain local governments for issuing prepaid consumer vouchers with different card colors based on monetary amounts, effectively exposing users’ income levels and vulnerable status. The President denounced the practice as a textbook example of supply-centered administrative convenience and a lack of human rights sensitivity. 🗣️ Key Remarks by President Lee Classifying users through card color reveals personal economic and social status. Such practice reflects a top-down, bureaucratic mindset with insufficient respect for human dignity. Immediate corrective measures were ordered along with a full-scale investigation. The President emphasized that public policies for livelihood recovery must not undermine citizens’ self-esteem. 🔧 Follow-up Measures The Ministry of the Interi...