President Lee’s Korea Policy Daily

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...

Kim Keon-hee Arrest Warrant Hearing: Background, Key Issues, and Outlook (Aug 12, 2025) Who is she? Kim Keon-hee is the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk-yeol . She served as First Lady from 2022 to 2024. On August 12, 2025 (KST) , she appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for a judge’s review of a special prosecutor’s request to detain her pending trial—commonly called a “pre-arrest warrant hearing.” A ruling was expected late Tuesday night or overnight, according to multiple outlets. Why this matters to an international audience This case intertwines legal accountability, political transition, and public trust. If the court approves detention, Kim could become the first former presidential spouse in South Korean history to be jailed on criminal charges—an outcome that would underscore how far Korea’s legal institutions will go in pursuing high-profile corruption cases. It also unfolds as her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol , is alr...

[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...