President Lee: "500 Days Since Launch... Housing, Jobs and Finance Top Priorities for the Rest of the Year"

President Lee Chairs Meeting of Senior Secretaries and Aides

Ahead of 500th Day Since Launch of People Sovereignty Government

Reiterates Three Key Social Policy Priorities

"Resolve to Declare War" on Relationship-Related and Indiscrim

President Lee Jaemyung said the government would make the "three key social policies" of housing, jobs, and finance its top priorities for the remainder of this year. The decision reflects his view that, despite improvements in major economic indicators, the recovery in people's livelihoods remains slow. Regarding a recent series of relationship-based crimes and indiscriminate violent crimes, he instructed officials to respond with the resolve to "declare war" and called for the establishment of a government-wide joint response body.

Yonhap News Agency

At a meeting with senior secretaries and aides that he chaired at Cheong Wa Dae on October 15, President Lee said, "Our economy is achieving remarkable results in many areas," but pointed out that "despite strong performance in major indicators, the recovery in people's livelihoods is slower than they expect." He noted that South Korea is likely to become the sixth country in the world with a population of more than 50 million to surpass $40,000 in per capita national income, and said, "It is time to make an all-out effort to ensure that the achievements of the national economy as a whole translate into tangible benefits in the lives of individual citizens." He added, "We will concentrate the government's capabilities on housing, jobs, and finance, which are the foundations of people's livelihoods."

President Lee said the government would first accelerate housing supply tailored to actual demand at each stage of life to promote housing stability. The aim is to respond to changing housing needs over the course of life, including those of young people and newlyweds, while expanding supply for people who need homes to live in. On jobs, he said the government would swiftly pursue the "National Jobs Project," which encompasses measures to create jobs in both the private and public sectors. In finance, he said the government would focus on easing the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups under heavy financial strain through policy funding, support for interest rate reductions, and tailored debt restructuring.

"Cheong Wa Dae and the government must make these three key social policies our top national priorities for the remainder of this year and ensure that initiatives in each area are carried out thoroughly," President Lee said. "Please do everything possible to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared throughout our society." He also called for speeding up the implementation of existing policies while actively developing new measures to improve people's livelihoods.

"Respond to relationship-based and indiscriminate crimes with the resolve to declare war"

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a meeting with senior secretaries and aides at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 15, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

He directed the government to establish a government-wide response system to address the recent series of violent crimes. "There have been consecutive cases of harm caused by relationship-based crimes and heinous crimes such as knife attacks," President Lee said. "These crimes, which threaten the lives of innocent people, endanger not only the individual victims but the safety of society as a whole."

President Lee noted in particular that women and other socially vulnerable groups are among the main victims of relationship-based crimes, and called for more attentive and effective protective measures. "Relevant ministries must act with a keen sense of urgency and swiftly develop measures to prevent serious crimes, with the resolve to declare war on relationship-based crimes involving romantic partners, colleagues, and others, as well as indiscriminate crimes targeting the general public," he stressed.

To this end, he proposed establishing a government-wide joint response body. He called for a review to identify any blind spots in the existing crime prevention system and a comprehensive assessment of whether the management of high-risk individuals and measures to protect victims are working properly on the ground. He also instructed officials to develop tailored prevention measures based on actual risk levels and plans to protect victims, and to substantially reinforce frontline personnel, organizations, and equipment so they can respond swiftly to emergencies.

"There must be no loopholes, however small, in protecting the lives and safety of the people," President Lee stressed. "We must put in place a robust system for crime prevention, a swift response on the ground, and reliable protection and support for victims." He added, "The government must mobilize every means at its disposal."

On the day before the 500th day since the launch of the People's Sovereignty Government, President Lee also reiterated his approach to governing. "The Republic of Korea stands at a crossroads in a major transformation," he said. "At times like this, we must be all the more humble, listen to the people, work to improve their lives, and do everything we can to open up a brighter future for the country." He continued, "The People's Sovereignty Government will not yield to any external pressure or resistance, and will steadfastly pursue the path of improving people's livelihoods, practical reform, and inclusive unity."

He urged newly appointed Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyeon, who was appointed the previous day, to foster communication and discussion among the presidential aides. Before the meeting, Chief of Staff Lim said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility. I will do everything in my power to support the President and deliver results for people's livelihoods so that their lives can improve." Meanwhile, ahead of the 47th anniversary of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising on October 16, President Lee reaffirmed his position that the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising should be enshrined in the Constitution's preamble.

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