President Lee: "Election Commission Requires Reform to the Point of Dismantlement... Constitutional Amendment if Needed" — Stresses "Inflation Comes First and Second" (Comprehensive)

Strong Remarks on Suffrage Infringement at Senior Secretaries' Meeting

Criticism of "Overall Incompetence, Laxity, and Moral Hazard"

Emphasis on Inflation Control Even as Middle East War Ends: "Inflation First, Inflation Second"

Orders Responses to Heat Waves, Industrial Accidents, and Price Gouging During Vacation Season

On June 19, President Lee Jae-myung stated that a full-scale legislative overhaul must be expedited in order to reform the election management system to the extent of dismantling it, in response to recent incidents of suffrage infringement that emerged during the election administration process. President Lee also raised the issue of reforming the National Election Commission to a constitutional level, saying that if necessary, constitutional amendments should be actively considered, thus elevating the matter beyond institutional reform.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Senior Secretary Meeting held at the Blue House on the 19th. June 19, 2026 Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In his opening remarks at the Senior Secretaries' Meeting held at the Blue House that afternoon, President Lee said, "Our citizens have witnessed an incomprehensible infringement of suffrage," adding, "It is both regrettable and, frankly, absurd to me as well." He strongly criticized the National Election Commission, stating, "This incident is the result of the commission’s overall incompetence, laxity, and moral hazard, where it pursued the organization’s interests with delegated authority from the sovereign people, yet neglected the responsibilities entrusted to it."

President Lee also mentioned that, as of the previous day, the National Assembly’s fact-finding special committee had begun its activities. He said, "We must conduct a thorough investigation to ensure such problems never occur again, and urgently push for comprehensive legislative revisions to reform the existing election management system to the point of dismantling it."

He particularly pointed out, "Due to the practical limitations that even the president cannot intervene, there is very little we can do," and stated, "We must actively consider constitutional amendments if necessary, going beyond institutional reform." He emphasized, "We cannot leave things as they are or sweep this issue under the rug."

Regarding the violence near the Jamsil ballot counting site, President Lee announced a strict response policy. He said, "A firm response is unavoidable to the violence near the Jamsil ballot counting site, which has already reached an intolerable level."

However, he also stressed the importance of guaranteeing the freedom of peaceful assembly. President Lee said, "Peaceful rallies for the restoration of national sovereignty must be actively guaranteed," but added, "We must thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those responsible for illegal violence and fake news that ride on the coattails of these rallies." He further urged, "Political circles must not add to public confusion by condoning illegal violence. Please join efforts for a thorough fact-finding investigation and fundamental election management reform."

Regarding the end of the Middle East war, President Lee identified measures to address inflation as the top priority. He stated, "A memorandum of understanding has been officially signed to mark the end of the Middle East war," and assessed, "After more than 100 days, the war in the Middle East is finally nearing its end." Nevertheless, he said, "The high oil prices, rising inflation, and increased exchange rate volatility triggered by this war have greatly damaged our economy. It will take considerable time until the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened and energy supply chains are completely normalized."

President Lee continued, "We must approach this not as the end, but as the beginning, and devote our full efforts to restoring the livelihood economy and addressing the shortcomings of our industrial economy," emphasizing, "The most urgent issue right now is inflation, first and foremost." While noting that price controls on petroleum and proactive measures have partially managed inflation, he instructed, "We must continue to devise measures to normalize petroleum product prices and ease the burden on consumers until international oil price instability is clearly resolved."

He also called for measures to stabilize the prices and supply of key items such as eggs, vegetables, fruit, and meat. President Lee said, "We must come up with extraordinary measures that go beyond the existing framework," and added, "In fact, when we think we have passed the crisis, that is precisely when we need to respond with greater boldness and precision." He continued, "If we try to save a bucket of water just because the fire seems to be under control, we may end up in even greater trouble," and urged, "Both the Blue House and the government must mobilize all available means with an unwavering determination to stabilize prices and restore people’s livelihoods."

President Lee also identified responses to heat waves and prevention of industrial accidents as major current issues. He said, "Due to the nationwide heat wave, the number of heat-related patients is rapidly increasing," and ordered a thorough review of heat wave response manuals and strengthened operation of cooling shelters in schools, temporary housing, rural areas, and industrial sites. He particularly mentioned the need to guarantee workers’ right to stop work at industrial sites. President Lee said, "We must carefully observe the field to ensure that workers can practically exercise their right to stop work in dangerous situations," adding, "Recently, the number of fatal falls at workplaces has suddenly surged."

He continued, "Although the causes must be analyzed scientifically, my initial thought is that the heat may be causing attention deficits," and emphasized, "Guaranteeing a safe working environment and the right to stop work is crucial for preventing industrial accidents."

President Lee also ordered safety and livelihood measures for the summer vacation season. He said, "Beaches will open nationwide starting next week," and instructed, "We must thoroughly review measures to prevent accidents in high-risk water recreation areas." He also pointed out, "Proactive measures are absolutely necessary to address the unscrupulous price gouging that becomes rampant every vacation season."

According to Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, the subsequent closed-door meeting included reports starting with the Office of Political Affairs’ "Summer Natural Disaster Response System and Implementation Direction," followed by the Office of Economic Growth’s "Countermeasures for Natural Disasters in the Economic Sector," the Office of Social Affairs’ "Countermeasures for Natural Disasters in the Social Sector," and the Office of AI Future Planning’s "Countermeasures for Natural Disasters in the Climate and Environment Sector."

President Lee received a report on plans to inspect disaster-prone facilities such as stormwater drains under the "Summer Natural Disaster Response System," and stressed that if accidents that could have been fully predicted occur, those responsible should be held strictly accountable. Conversely, government departments that thoroughly prepare for disaster prevention should receive corresponding rewards. President Lee also received a report on the use of modular housing as one of the housing support measures for disaster victims in the event of flood damage, and asked the chief of economic growth about the feasibility of relocating such housing and the budget required to produce 100 units.

Meanwhile, President Lee cited Gangneung, which suffered greatly from severe drought last year, as an example and asked the secretary for climate, energy and environment whether fundamental countermeasures against drought had been established. He also checked whether practical measures such as securing alternative reservoirs were in place, and directed thorough preparations to prevent citizens from experiencing the same inconvenience as last year, according to Chief Spokesperson Kang.

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