President Lee Jae-myung listens to a presentation by Lee Han-joo, head of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning, during a public briefing hosted by the committee at Yeongbingwan, the state reception hall of Cheong Wa Dae, in Seoul on August 13. / Photo by the Presidential Office Press Corps

The policy agenda for the next five years under the Lee Jae-myung administration was unveiled on August 13, just 70 days after the government’s launch without a transition committee due to the early presidential election. The 123 policy tasks include plans for a constitutional amendment during the term, prosecution reform measures, the transfer of wartime operational control before the end of the term, and the creation of a 100 trillion won National Growth Fund, among other reform and growth initiatives of the new administration.

The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning held a public briefing at Yeongbingwan, the state reception hall of Cheong Wa Dae, in Seoul on the same day, announcing the “Five-Year Plan for State Administration,” the blueprint for the Lee administration’s governance. The national vision that will guide the new government’s operations is “A Nation Where the People Are Sovereign, A Happy Republic of Korea for All.” Under five main national goals, politics that unites the people, an innovation-driven economy leading the world, balanced growth where everyone prospers, a solid and secure society, and diplomacy and security centered on national interest, the committee presented 23 strategic initiatives and 123 policy tasks. At the forefront of the list is “Constitutional Reform for a True Republic of Korea.”

President Lee, attending the event, remarked, “The new government, launched without a transition committee, has felt like rolling down a steep slope over the past two months,” adding, “Through everyone’s efforts, the path toward normalizing the Republic of Korea is gradually opening.” He continued, “We will pursue an innovation-driven economy and balanced growth where everyone shares in the results, build a ‘solid society’ that safeguards the lives of the people, and defend our national interest confidently on the international stage through pragmatic diplomacy.”

In the political sphere, the policy tasks include reforming the concentrated powers of institutions such as the prosecution, police, and Board of Audit and Inspection, preventing military involvement in politics; and improving the governance structure of public broadcasting. Economic initiatives include creating the 100 trillion won National Growth Fund and building an “AI highway” along with an independent AI ecosystem. Balanced growth measures propose establishing innovation and employment hubs focused on the “5+3” model (five major megaregions and three special self-governing provinces) and completing the administrative capital in Sejong. In the social welfare and safety sector, tasks include reducing the occupational accident fatality rate to the OECD average and amending Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act (the so-called “Yellow Envelope Law”). In diplomacy and security, tasks involve deepening the Korea–U.S. alliance, denuclearization, and building a sustainable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

To implement core pledges and key policy tasks, the committee has prepared a fiscal investment plan to inject an additional 210 trillion won over five years, to be funded through increased revenue and rigorous expenditure restructuring. The announced policy tasks will be finalized following the government’s review and approval at a Cabinet meeting.