164 "Lee Jaemyung's National Normalization Project" Tasks Finalized from Public Proposals... Reflected in Ministerial Evaluations

State Affairs Coordination Office’s National Normalization Task Force Announces First Round of Assignments

A total of 164 initial tasks have been confirmed for the so-called "National Normalization Project," which aims to address the hidden irrationalities and irregular practices within Korean society. The performance of these initiatives will later be reflected in the personnel evaluations of heads of central ministries and other agencies.

Jongseob Shim, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, is giving a briefing on the first task of the National Normalization Project at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on May 22, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of May 22, the State Affairs Coordination Office's main Task Force (TF) held a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul to announce the first set of assignments for the National Normalization Project. These tasks include measures targeting the seven major social evils identified by the project, such as drug offenses, voice phishing, illegal real estate activities, and stock price manipulation. The list also features tasks directly related to daily life, such as rationalizing speed regulations in school zones, improving the opaque management system of officetels, expanding quantitatively labeled products, and standardizing parasol usage fees during the summer. Efforts to eradicate violence in the sports sector and to reform the Korea Football Association, which has faced ongoing controversy over its governance structure, have also been included. The government will also address the eradication of unfair "multi-layered structures" at highway rest areas, an issue brought to public attention by President Lee Jaemyung in December last year.

The selected tasks were gathered over the past month through a "bottom-up" process, accepting proposals from the public and field practitioners. The list was refined based on appropriateness, urgency, and practicality. To ensure prompt progress, the government plans to conduct implementation checks on this first batch of tasks during ministry work briefings expected as early as June or July. Once the first round is complete, the scope for proposals will be expanded to include businesses, associations, and other stakeholders, immediately launching the selection of the second round of tasks. The review of the second round is also expected to take place during work briefings at the end of the year or early next year. Each ministry will form its own TF, led by the agency head, to pursue not only these first-round tasks but also their own internally identified assignments. The results of these efforts will be reflected in the future performance evaluations of heads of central ministries and agencies.

Jongseob Shim, Director of the State Affairs Coordination Office, stated, "The government is firmly resolved to root out all abnormal and deep-seated social ills without exception." He continued, "The National Normalization Project systematizes the tasks the government should naturally undertake, and it is not something that can be completed with a one-off effort." He added, "Aiming for the complete normalization of the Republic of Korea, we will firmly establish a virtuous cycle for the National Normalization Project. The government will take the lead to ensure that citizens' proposals become policies and their voices become the driving force that sets the country on the right path."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.