Lee Stands by Live Cabinet Broadcasts... Need Ways to Improve Communication and Reduce Controversy

Repeatedly Rejects Calls to Scale Back Broadcasts on Oct. 16 and 18
Emphasizes Government Transparency and the Public's Right to Know
"I Cannot Agree to Blocking Direct Dealings with the Public"
Concerns Persist Over Policy Confusion and Minister

President Lee Jaemyung is holding firm to the principle of public disclosure, repeatedly pushing back against calls to scale back live broadcasts of Cabinet meetings. Lee, who has made direct communication with the public a core value of his administration, has dismissed concerns from some quarters that ministers are being discouraged from speaking their minds. Meanwhile, political circles and government officials have pointed to the downside of the president's remarks translating directly into policy without sufficient deliberation. Analysts say the so-called "direct-to-public governance," introduced to increase government transparency, is now being put to the test over policy quality and open debate.

President Lee Jaemyung declares the opening of a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 13, 2026. Yonhap News Agency.

On October 18, Lee shared on X (formerly Twitter) a YouTube video showing Cabinet members voicing opposing views during a Cabinet meeting. "It is hard to understand why anyone would pressure us not to open these meetings to the public, even resorting to the lie that 'Cabinet members cannot speak freely because the meetings are public,' when the public welcomes partial disclosure of Cabinet meetings," he wrote. On October 16, he said he "could not agree with calls from some quarters to keep all Cabinet meetings closed to the public." His latest remarks came just two days after that statement.

He also expressed his views on the importance of a "red team." "Cabinet members, agency heads, commission chairs, and even local government heads all say what they have to say," Lee wrote. "I have always welcomed debate and especially respect people who voice opposing views." Heo Eunah, the Blue House's senior secretary for national unity, also backed him up on X, saying that the president had listened whenever she conveyed concerns from centrists and conservatives. Lee responded: "A true aide is someone who says what a superior needs to hear, even if it may be uncomfortable, while accepting the personal cost."

Lee's firm stance reflects his view that live broadcasts of Cabinet meetings are more than a matter of meeting procedure; they symbolize his governing philosophy. His sharp remark on October 16 that "we cannot agree to block direct sales just to guarantee distribution margins" was made in the same context. When live broadcasts were first introduced at a Cabinet meeting on July 29, 2025, to discuss measures to eradicate serious industrial accidents, some proposed recording the meetings for later release in stages or allowing only partial public access. Lee, however, decided to disclose the discussions in full, without editing or omissions. The broadcasts were later expanded to include ministry work briefings and town hall meetings, and government ministries also broadened the scope of meetings they made public in line with this policy.

President Lee Jaemyung and Prime Minister Han Seongsook enter a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on Oct. 13, 2026. Yonhap News, 2026.10.13.

Debate over the effectiveness of live Cabinet meeting broadcasts is expected to continue for some time. In one case, after Lee ordered a review at a Cabinet meeting on February 24, an amendment to the Farmland Act was introduced on April 3 and passed by the National Assembly just 34 days later, on May 7, but was subsequently adjusted in some areas following a backlash. In another case, a 212-member citizen panel deliberated for two months and proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 13 only for serious, grave, and repeat offenses. However, at a Cabinet meeting on July 14, Lee called the proposal "far too inadequate" and ordered a review.

The Blue House is considering ways to fine-tune how the meetings are run while maintaining the principle of public disclosure. Lee is reportedly also beginning to hold working lunches after meetings with some attendees involved in current issues to hear their views. Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication Seong Gihong said during a YouTube broadcast on October 16 that "live broadcasts of Cabinet meetings are a matter of principle," while noting that the administration has continuously sought changes to ensure information is conveyed effectively. A ruling-party official said, "The principle of transparently making government affairs public is a 'signature' of President Lee. We need to find a way to manage the meetings that preserves this principle while preventing unnecessary controversy from escalating."

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