President Lee: "Boldly Improve Outdated Practices and Unnecessary Procedures to Accelerate Megaprojects"

President Lee Chairs Cabinet Meeting in Sejong

"Find Ways to Make Things Work, Not Reasons They Can't"

Urges Creative Administration from All Ministries and Local Governments

"SMR, Quantum, Space, and Advanced Bio"

Calls for In

President Lee Jae-myung stressed on the 11th that, regarding the three major megaprojects—semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and physical AI—"We must boldly improve or shorten outdated practices and unnecessary procedures, and proactively remove obstacles that hinder early investment." Following his call at the previous day’s public-private joint inspection meeting to speed up implementation, he once again urged all ministries and local governments to fundamentally review all regulatory and administrative procedures from scratch.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 11th. August 11, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong that day, President Lee said, "Since this is the largest project since the government was established, there are inevitably many areas in need of improvement." He added, "Rather than looking for reasons why something can't be done, I strongly urge the government officials to find ways to make things work through proactive, active, and creative administration." He emphasized that, in order for large-scale private investments to be implemented as planned, it is essential for the government to play a role—not by adhering to old administrative practices, which would delay project timelines, but by rapidly adjusting permits, infrastructure development, and various regulations to meet the speed of the projects.

On the previous day, President Lee also presided over the second public-private joint inspection meeting on the megaprojects, discussing ways to spread investment outcomes across regions and throughout the entire industrial ecosystem. At the Cabinet meeting on the 11th, he took it a step further by stressing that ministries and local governments themselves must directly undertake improvements to administrative procedures and regulations.

He also called for finding future industries that will drive Korea beyond the three megaprojects. President Lee said, "Along with the three major megaprojects, we must continue efforts to discover new seeds for our future industrial growth," and identified small modular reactors (SMRs), renewable energy, quantum computing, space and aerospace, and advanced biotechnology as "key areas that will determine future hegemony in the global economy."

He continued, "Strategic investments in these sectors must be carried out as thoroughly and intensively as the three major megaprojects," pledging, "We will work with the people to make Korea irreplaceable by pursuing balanced development and aggressively nurturing breakthrough advanced industries."

President Lee also said it was necessary to accelerate the enhancement of Sejong’s role as an administrative capital. Noting that this was the fourth Cabinet meeting held in Sejong since the launch of the Government of Sovereign People, he pointed out, "The single-core metropolitan area system has already reached its limits and serves as the starting point for all major problems currently facing our society, including real estate, education, youth, and severe polarization."

"Balanced national development is the key to curing Korea’s chronic ills and ushering in an era of 'growth for all' where every region has equal opportunity," he said. "Sejong, as the symbol of balanced development, must firmly establish itself as the central axis of national administration, so we must work together to ensure a stable transfer of core government functions."

He also instructed the acceleration of the construction of the Sejong Presidential Office and the National Assembly Sejong Branch. President Lee said, "We must devote our full efforts to opening the era of the Sejong office within this administration’s term and hosting the final Cabinet meeting there," adding, "The continuous support of relevant laws and institutions is essential for the real and final completion of Sejong as the administrative capital."

A Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung is being held at the Government Complex Sejong on August 11, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

President Lee also called for reorganizing the residential safety net to respond to climate-related disasters, such as extreme heat. As of August 10, he noted, there have been 28 deaths due to heat waves and a cumulative total of 3,237 cases of heat-related illnesses, stressing, "We must remain vigilant and do our utmost to protect people's lives and safety."

Specifically addressing the living conditions of individuals residing in places such as gosiwon, vinyl greenhouses, and makeshift huts—accommodations outside of standard housing—he said, "We should actively consider revising the minimum housing standards from the perspective of climate disasters, and expedite improvements for non-housing accommodations as well." He went on to urge ministries to check for any gaps in the current social safety net, saying, "Policies should follow the real situations people face, not forcibly fit people’s lives into existing institutions."

President Lee also emphasized the principle of "rewards and penalties" to empower proactive administration within the civil service. He stated that government officials delivering results should receive enhanced rewards and recognition, whereas those who fail despite acting proactively should not be subject to audits or disciplinary actions.

He said, "If someone fails despite earnestly trying to do a good job, they should not be subject to audits or disciplinary actions." He added, "If we hold people accountable for results that stem from honest mistakes or enthusiasm, who will have the motivation to work hard?" On the other hand, he asserted, "Those who are irresponsible, incompetent, or engage in corruption, misconduct, or irregularities must be strictly disciplined. We must distinguish between the good and the bad, creating an environment where competent, dedicated, and sincere public servants can take pride in their work and fully focus on their responsibilities."

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