President Lee: "No Division Between Ruling and Opposition Parties in Eradicating Corruption... Strict Enforcement Without Exception"

Presides Over First Anti-Corruption Policy Council

"Economic Status at 5th in the World, Yet Integrity Only 31st — This Is Shameful"

"Eradicating Local Vested Interest Groups, Remaining Corruption in Private and Political Sectors"

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On August 21, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "When it comes to eradicating corruption, there is no such thing as ruling party or opposition, your side or mine," and added, "We must address this issue strictly and fairly, without exception, guided by clear principles." President Lee identified the intervention of local vested interests and the lingering corruption in the private and political sectors as key targets for eradication. He urged continuous and steadfast implementation of anti-corruption policies until the public genuinely feels that "things have truly changed."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the 1st Anti-Corruption Policy Council of the People's Sovereignty Government held at the Blue House on the 21st. The Anti-Corruption Policy Council, a ministerial meeting of anti-corruption-related agencies to comprehensively promote the government's anti-corruption measures, was held for the first time since President Lee's inauguration on that day. 2026.8.21 Yonhap News Agency

Presiding over the first Anti-Corruption Policy Council of the People’s Sovereignty Government at the Blue House on the afternoon of August 21, President Lee commented, "As our economy grows and national power increases, higher standards of transparency and integrity are required in the public sector and the civil service."

President Lee emphasized the necessity of anti-corruption policies by contrasting South Korea’s elevated economic status with its current level of integrity. He remarked, "No matter how impressive our economic figures are, if people’s livelihoods remain difficult and the government and public officials fail to earn the people’s trust, all these achievements can easily collapse like a castle built on sand." He went on to say, "In 2025, among 182 countries, Korea’s integrity ranked 31st. While we are in the top 10 in almost every other area, our integrity ranking is only 31st—this is somewhat embarrassing."

He added, "The expectations of our citizens are rising, so we must carefully examine whether there are areas where, out of habit or appealing to 'traditional practices,' we have been turning a blind eye." He further stated, "If such issues exist, they must be rectified immediately."

As for the specific focus of the anti-corruption policies, President Lee referenced a broad spectrum, from local corruption to wrongdoing in the private sector and politics. He stated, "We must pay close attention to—and root out—the recent issues involving vested local interests, the corruption that remains deeply rooted in the private sector, and, although it has improved, the persistent corruption in political circles."

He continued, "Upholding the principles of fairness and justice in our society is not something that can be achieved in just one or two years. It requires sustained and ongoing effort." He urged related ministries and agencies to "approach their work with renewed determination, fully committed to meeting the expectations of the people."

President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over the first Anti-Corruption Policy Council of the People's Sovereignty Government at the Blue House on the 21st. The Anti-Corruption Policy Council, a ministers' meeting of anti-corruption related agencies to comprehensively implement the government's anti-corruption measures, was held for the first time since President Lee took office. August 21, 2026, Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also linked anti-corruption and a fair social system to national competitiveness. He said, "The international community holds our nation’s political capacity in high regard," and stressed, "For South Korea to become a leading nation, one that is truly irreplaceable in the future, our domestic order must be exceptionally rational and fair. This is the very core goal of our anti-corruption policy."

The meeting was attended by key officials from agencies involved in anti-corruption efforts, including Kim Hocheol, Chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection; Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety; Koo Yoon-cheol, Minister of Strategy and Finance; Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor; Jeong Ilyeon, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission; Joo Byung-ki, Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission; Lee Eog-weon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission; Lee Jongseok, Director of the National Intelligence Service; Lim Gwang-hyun, Commissioner of the National Tax Service; Baek Seung-bo, Administrator of the Public Procurement Service; and Yoo Jae-seong, Acting Commissioner General of the National Police Agency.

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