President Yoon Emphasizes Commitment to Reform and Lowered Approach

President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 21 that if too much consideration is given to the backlash and resistance from existing stakeholders, or the powerful, nothing can be changed.
 
During the opening remarks at the 47th senior secretary meeting held at the Blue House, President Lee emphasized that "reform is essentially about adjusting interests."
 
He noted that adjusting unreasonable, unfair, and biased interests will inevitably provoke backlash from those who benefit from the existing relationships. He stressed that for a better society, changes must be made, even if they are difficult.
 
The president also called for consideration and persuasion for groups that may suffer losses during the reform process. He stated, "We must create as many changes as possible while being considerate and respectful of those who may be disadvantaged. It is the government's important task to facilitate changes smoothly and quietly without causing major disruptions."
 
While acknowledging the public's desire for significant changes, he added, "To achieve continuous and greater changes, we need to be more patient and engage in dialogue, carefully considering the methods and processes involved."
 
President Lee pointed out that although economic indicators such as exports, growth rates, and national income are showing signs of recovery, the public does not feel these improvements sufficiently. He expressed, "As the person responsible for the government, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility regarding the voices of the people that the improvement in economic indicators is not translating into substantial changes in their livelihoods."
 
He predicted that once next year's budget is finalized and implemented, the effects of alleviating polarization and improving livelihoods will become evident. President Lee stated, "The public will feel policies that significantly improve their lives compared to the past," and pledged that the Blue House and the government will work together to qualitatively change the lives of the people.
 
Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, he directed improvements in wage arrears issues through on-site management and system enhancements. He remarked, "Wages are the rightful compensation for labor and are directly linked to a family's livelihood," and pointed out that neglecting wage arrears undermines social trust that hard work will be rewarded fairly.
 
He urged thorough preparations for the amendment to the Construction Industry Basic Act, which will take effect next year, and called for swift measures to address improvements in other sectors where wage arrears frequently occur. President Lee stated, "There should be no injustice where people who work hard do not receive their wages on time," and emphasized the need to accelerate efforts toward a society with zero wage arrears.
 
He also highlighted the importance of traffic, security, fire response, and emergency medical services during the Chuseok holiday. After expressing gratitude to police officers, firefighters, military personnel, and medical staff working during the holiday, he instructed relevant departments to ensure that there are no gaps in public safety.
 
In the diplomatic arena, he expressed intentions to expand the achievements of the Korea-Central Asia summit to other regions. President Lee stated, "The world is a harsh and infinite competition where there are no eternal friends or enemies," and emphasized the need to strengthen our own capabilities and broaden cooperation and solidarity to seek paths for peace and stability.
 
That evening, President Lee will depart to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly and for a state visit to Mexico. He stated, "I will do my best to ensure that this trip expands Korea's diplomatic reach and enhances national interests," adding that he will prioritize the lives and safety of the people and strengthen multifaceted cooperation with the international community.