The National Planning and Evaluation Commission of the Lee Jae-myung government held its first meeting since its launch. The commission plans to establish a task force (TF) to implement the organizational restructuring and taxes reforms that President Lee has emphasized since the presidential election period and to set the direction of future national governance.

On the 16th, Chairperson Lee Hanjoo speaks at the 1st plenary meeting of the National Planning and Advisory Committee held at the Government Seoul Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of the 16th, the National Planning and Evaluation Commission held a signboard ceremony and the appointment letter presentation in the annex of the Government Seoul Office in Changseong-dong, immediately starting its first general meeting. During the meeting, the commission organized its operational principles and future national governance-related agenda.

Lee Han-joo, the chairperson of the National Planning and Evaluation Commission, said during the general meeting, "We now have to start anew three years late on what should have begun in the previous government," and emphasized that "recovery and growth, advanced national values, human rights and the happiness pursuit of the people, along with maximum national support, are the three key keywords of our commitments."

He added, "Financial plans for the commitments must also be re-evaluated, and the arrangements for legal bills according to the commitments must be made, as well as drafting a roadmap for the next five years," while highlighting that "despite the many changes over the past 18 years, there have been experiences where the government and structural reforms fell behind."

The National Planning and Evaluation Commission identified establishing priorities for national tasks and government organizational restructuring plans as key operational strategies. It plans to present a new five-year blueprint containing the priorities of national tasks reflecting President Lee's philosophy and specific implementation plans. The organizational restructuring is expected to be rapidly pursued alongside the formation of the initial cabinet to correct inefficient practices.

To support the new government's national governance, a TF for organizational restructuring and taxes reforms will also be operated separately. A Citizens' Sovereignty Committee and National Advisory Group will also be established to emphasize the image of a "communicative government." The National Planning and Evaluation Commission plans to finalize and announce the TF structure soon.

The National Planning and Evaluation Commission will hold an operational committee meeting starting from the morning of the 17th and will actively commence its meetings. The committee will operate through an operational committee, subcommittees, and general meetings. From the 18th to the 20th, it is scheduled to receive departmental work reports near the Government Sejong Office.

Cho Seung-rae, the spokesperson for the National Planning and Evaluation Commission, noted, "The most important task of the National Planning and Evaluation Commission is to organize the commitments made during the presidential election process and the people's proposals," adding that "issues that transcend the areas of each subcommittee will be addressed by forming a TF."