Lim Gwanghyeon Meets Blue House Staff: "Blue House Must Make the Impossible Possible... Aides Must Speak Frankly to President, Too"

First conversation with employees since taking office
"At times, support the president from half a step ahead, and at other times, from half a step behind"
Also emphasized strengthening discipline among public officials
Called for a more horizont

Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyeon on the 19th urged Blue House aides to speak frankly to the president and actively coordinate policy. He also emphasized that the Blue House’s role is to resolve state affairs by reconciling differences among government ministries, rather than simply relaying their positions. After ordering the establishment of an “anonymous suggestion channel” shortly after taking office, he has begun communicating directly with staff, signaling a simultaneous push to strengthen discipline among public officials and foster a more open organizational culture.

Newly appointed Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun speaks with employees at the Blue House on the 19th. 2026.10.19 Yonhap News Agency

In a written briefing that day, Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said Lim held a “Conversation with Staff” at the Blue House guesthouse that afternoon and emphasized the Blue House’s role and the proper conduct expected of public officials.

Lim began by greeting staff, saying, “I, too, started out as an administrative officer.” He shared his experience working at the Blue House during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and expressed his intention to communicate closely with staff and work alongside them.

In particular, he stressed, “Our sole goal is the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, and that is the path to improving people’s lives,” adding, “If we give it our all, we can surely make it happen.”

He called for a more proactive role in the Blue House’s policy coordination. “The Blue House is not a place that merely conveys the positions of government ministries,” Lim said. “It should be a place where different views are coordinated, where even things that seem impossible are made possible, and where the work of government comes together.” His remarks reflected the view that the presidential staff organization is responsible for reconciling differences in the interests of individual ministries and in the course of implementing policies, and for developing practical solutions.

On the conduct expected of aides serving the president, he emphasized having the conviction to speak frankly. “At times, you must support the president from half a step ahead, and at other times, from half a step behind,” Lim said, urging them to “not shy away from criticism and to know how to speak up for what is right.” His comments were understood to mean that aides should support the president’s governing philosophy while not hesitating to speak candidly when necessary.

At the same time, he called for strict discipline among public officials, alongside the freedom to express their views. “At the most basic level, we are all public officials,” Lim said. “We must be especially careful in what we say and do, and remain focused in our work.”

Staff also made suggestions at the event. One employee said they took pride in working at the Blue House and achieving results, and asked Lim to help sustain that pride. Another called for greater attention and support to gather a broader range of views from people affected by policies, experts, and others in the field, and to reflect those views in actual policies. Suggestions were also made regarding the Blue House’s work practices and organizational management.

Newly appointed Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyeon poses for a commemorative photo during a meeting with staff at the Blue House on Oct. 19, 2026. Yonhap News.

Lim reportedly listened attentively to the staff’s views. After making the establishment of an anonymous suggestion channel his first directive following his appointment, he listened directly to employees that day, reaffirming his commitment to expanding internal communication.

The Blue House plans to establish online and offline channels where anyone can freely share their views, regardless of rank. Attention is now focused on how much aides’ candid advice and feedback from the field will be reflected in the actual management of state affairs under the new chief of staff.

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