Global Economic Times

President Lee Jae-myung pushes for special promotions for officials who were 'passive in illegal orders'... emphasizes tax normalization and support for re-establishment.: KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2025-07-28 19:02:59

President Lee Jae-myung has ordered special promotions for officials who were passive in following illegal and unjust orders during the December 3rd state of emergency. He also made his reform intentions clear to the newly appointed ministers and vice ministers, urging them to correct the wrongs of the previous administration and strive for tax normalization.

On the 28th, at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee mentioned personnel matters related to the December 3rd state of emergency while presenting the letter of appointment to the new Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-baek. According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, President Lee stated, "Personnel changes within the Ministry of National Defense are very important following the state of emergency," and "Promote special promotions for officials who were passive in following illegal and unjust orders." This is interpreted as an intention to both reprimand the forces that led the martial law and to rectify the military's discipline by favoring military officials who made the right judgments.

President Lee emphasized to the new Commissioner of the National Tax Service, Im Gwang-hyeon, "Correct the wrongs of the previous administration and strive for tax normalization." This remark suggests the current administration's direction for tax reform, aiming to differentiate itself from the previous government's policy stance.

To the new Minister of Unification, Jeong Dong-yeong, he asked for his opinion on a statement by Kim Yo-jong, the Vice Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, and said, "Restoring trust between the two Koreas is important in a peaceful atmosphere." This reveals the current government's diplomatic policy of resolving the stalled inter-Korean relationship through dialogue.

Subsequently, he emphasized to the new Minister of SMEs and Startups, Han Seong-sook, the importance of creating an ecosystem for the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. President Lee particularly stated, "We can learn through failure, but in our country, there is no second chance," and "We must provide opportunities for failed entrepreneurs and talents to re-establish themselves," indicating his intention to create a social atmosphere that tolerates failure and provides opportunities for a second chance.

Meanwhile, the new Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Jeon Jae-su, said, "Public opinion in the Busan area regarding the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is very positive," and "Local residents are saying things like 'President Lee, who is pushing for the relocation of the ministry, is 'lightning-fast' and 'Busan style,'" which drew laughter from the attendees.

The ceremony for presenting the letters of appointment was attended by Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-yeong, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-su, Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook, and Commissioner of the National Tax Service Im Gwang-hyeon. Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul, who was visiting the United States to attend the 6.25 Korean War Armistice Agreement ceremony, was absent.

In the afternoon, President Lee concluded his appointments by presenting letters of appointment to Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Kim Sang-hwan and Justice of the Constitutional Court Oh Young-jun. The Chief Justice is appointed by the president from among the justices of the Constitutional Court with the consent of the National Assembly, and justices of the Constitutional Court are appointed by the president after a National Assembly hearing.