[Lee Jae-myung Administration 1 Year] Accelerating National Normalization from Day One... 'Open Governance' Through Live-Broadcast Cabinet Meetings

Launched Without a Transition Team After Impeachment Turmoil
Simultaneous Response to Economy, Security, and Safety
3.05 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget, Putting Public Welfare First
Strengthened Communication Through National Recommendat

The changes in state administration during the first year of the Lee Jaemyung administration can be summarized by the keywords "openness," "on-site presence," "direct communication," and "speed." On his first day in office, President Lee launched an Emergency Economic Task Force as his first executive order, initiating efforts to restore state affairs that had stalled due to the impeachment crisis. He also placed economic recovery for ordinary citizens at the forefront by drafting a supplementary budget worth 3.05 trillion won. The government expanded channels for public participation through the National Recommendation System, the National Mailbox, and town hall meetings, and made significant portions of the policy-making process public by live-broadcasting cabinet meetings and ministerial briefings.

A Race Against Time From Day One... Overcoming the Absence of a Transition Team

Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung is taking the oath at a brief inauguration ceremony held at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th.

The first key word for the Lee Jaemyung administration is speed. On June 4 of last year, President Lee arrived at the presidential office in Yongsan on his inauguration day and ordered the formation of the Emergency Economic Task Force, instructing that all relevant ministry heads and officials be convened by 7:30 p.m. the same day. He visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Combat Command Center to inspect military readiness and also ordered meetings of officials responsible for disaster, public security, and safety. The administration’s intention was to overcome the limitations of launching a government without a transition team by responding simultaneously to economic, security, and safety issues.

Economic livelihoods remained at the core of state administration throughout the year. In his first policy address to the National Assembly after taking office, President Lee announced the drafting of a 3.05 trillion won supplementary budget aimed at overcoming the economic downturn and restoring the livelihoods of citizens. The supplementary budget focused on boosting consumption, supporting vulnerable groups, and expanding local gift certificate programs. During the process of setting the 2026 budget, the administration also released details of a 2.7 trillion won expenditure restructuring plan, signaling a commitment to both fiscal input and efficiency.

Live-Broadcast Cabinet Meetings and Briefings... Nicknamed 'Jamflix'

Strengthening direct communication with the public has also been a major shift under the Lee Jaemyung administration. The government introduced the National Recommendation System, allowing citizens to recommend key public officials, and opened the National Mailbox to receive questions from the public on all areas of state affairs, including the economy, livelihoods, society, politics, and foreign policy. In July last year, budget proposals were solicited through the Public Participation Budget Platform, and 12 regional town hall meetings were held in cities such as Gwangju, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan, connecting local issues to ministerial review tasks.

In particular, the live-broadcasting of cabinet meetings and work briefings became a symbol of transparency in state administration. The government live-broadcast the cabinet meeting for the first time on July 29 last year, and in December, held public briefings for 228 agencies—including 19 ministries, 5 offices, 18 administrations, and 7 committees—while touring Sejong, Seoul, and Busan. Public release via KTV and YouTube was the rule, except for security matters such as diplomacy and national security. The six-day series of briefings were broadcast live for nearly 1,700 minutes, earning the nickname "Jamflix."

President Lee's messaging through social networking services (SNS) has also become a pillar of his administration. He has personally posted his thoughts on major issues such as labor rights, corporate management rights, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, real estate, inclusive finance, and foreign affairs. President Lee now communicates with the public through six different platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. The number of followers on X, which was about 900,000 at the start of his term, grew to 1 million over the year.

Visiting Traditional Markets, Industrial Sites, and Disaster Scenes for Direct Communication

President Lee Jae-myung is receiving a progress briefing at the Jeju Air crash site at Muan International Airport, Jeonnam, on the 18th. May 18, 2026. Photo by the Blue House Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News.

On-site administration has also become a hallmark of the Lee Jaemyung government. President Lee visited markets such as Dongmun Market in Jeju, Nammok Maseong Market in Ulsan, and Namgwangju Market in Gwangju to meet with merchants and citizens. On his first Children's Day after returning the presidential office from Yongsan to Cheong Wa Dae, he opened the Sejong and Chungmu Halls to children. In September last year, he visited a small but strong semiconductor parts company in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, holding a "K-Manufacturing Industry On-site Meeting" with business leaders in the semiconductor and battery sectors. In May of this year, he presided over the "K-Shipbuilding Future Vision Conference" at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard.

The president has also personally responded to social disasters and industrial accidents on-site. He invited the families of victims from the Sewol ferry, Itaewon, Osong underground tunnel, and passenger plane disasters to Cheong Wa Dae for a "Dialogue of Remembrance, Consolation, and Healing." In May, he visited the site of the passenger plane disaster, where he personally comforted the bereaved families and pointed out the delays in recovering the remains, ordering a renewed search and transparent disclosure of the investigation.

Experts have positively evaluated the Lee Jaemyung administration’s new approach to communication but have advised restraint when it comes to impulsive messaging. Choi Changryul, a special professor at Yongin University, said, "While the president’s transparent disclosure of his thoughts to the public may entail some political calculation, it is a positive development." He added, "However, since unintended consequences could provoke opposition parties, it would be wise to consider them at critical moments."

Lee Seungseon, professor of media and communication studies at Chungnam National University, also stated, "It is very positive that President Lee is expanding the channels and scope of communication, and this approach should be maintained." However, he also pointed out, "There needs to be a process in place to ensure caution during information disclosure. Since video is released in real time, there is always a risk that cabinet members may focus excessively on image management, and this negative effect should not be overlooked."

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