South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and fairness in public service appointments, encouraging civil servants to speak up about any perceived irregularities — even through anonymous messages — during a government briefing held on December 11.
Speaking at a policy briefing session hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Data Agency in Sejong City, President Lee acknowledged the importance of personnel decisions within the public sector. “For civil servants, personnel appointments are among the most critical issues,” he said. “I will do my utmost to ensure that the process remains as fair, transparent, and rational as possible.”
In an unusually candid appeal, President Lee directly addressed the attending civil servants, stating, “If you believe there is a serious issue with how appointments are being handled, please send a message anonymously — even through Telegram. I will act on it immediately.”
This statement comes amid recent controversies surrounding alleged political influence in civil servant appointments, including the abrupt dismissal of Kang Hyung-seok, the former Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. These events have stirred unease within the public sector, raising concerns about favoritism and the integrity of personnel management.
President Lee sought to reassure the bureaucratic community by emphasizing his confidence in the majority of civil servants. “There’s a tendency among the public to assume that government officials are lazy or self-serving,” he noted. “But if most public servants were truly incompetent or corrupt, Korea would not be a model admired by so many nations.”
He added, “The vast majority of civil servants are diligently fulfilling their duties and making meaningful contributions. It’s just that when a pond is clear, even a little bit of mud stands out — and that mud comes from a very small minority, like mudfish that stir up the water.”
President Lee also delivered a broader message about the state of the nation, drawing a metaphor to describe South Korea’s current crossroads. “The country is at a watershed moment,” he said. “Just like a single raindrop determines whether it flows to the East Sea or the West Sea, we’re at a turning point that could decide our nation’s future.”
Drawing historical parallels, he remarked, “In the Joseon Dynasty, it was King Seonjo who allowed the country to fall into ruin, and King Jeongjo who led it into a golden age. The difference lay in leadership. Whether Korea thrives or falters depends on the decisions and efforts of public officials — and ultimately, the greatest responsibility lies with people like me.”
He closed with a strong appeal for dedication and public service: “I ask each and every public servant to carry out their duties with a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that the fate of the country and the well-being of future generations are in your hands.”
President Lee’s remarks come at a time when public trust in government transparency remains a pressing issue. His emphasis on accountability and openness signals an effort to rebuild confidence in public institutions, particularly as the nation navigates a complex global and domestic economic landscape.
