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President Lee Jae-myung listens to remarks during the 42nd Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex in Sejong on Sept. 16. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday called on government agencies to devise measures encouraging companies to relocate to regional areas, stressing the need for rational adjustments to electricity pricing.

During a policy discussion at the Cabinet meeting in Sejong, Lee responded to Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan’s remark that businesses need stronger incentives to move outside the capital area. “Public utility costs, including electricity, should be cheaper in proportion to distance from the capital to avoid reverse discrimination,” Lee said, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung. “A rational reorganization of the electricity pricing system is needed.”

Lee also instructed officials to examine tax benefits and fiscal support for companies moving to the provinces, and asked the financial regulator to develop incentive programs from a financial perspective.

In addition, Lee ordered the revival of the social economy sector—scaled back under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration—and designated an overarching body to explore entrusting public services to social enterprises. In a closed-door session, he urged ministers to accelerate appointments within their ministries and to “listen carefully to the voices on the ground from the perspective of recipients, not providers.”

On the same day, the presidential office clarified that the 123 policy tasks approved by the Cabinet— which include a constitutional amendment for a four-year, two-term presidency—did not involve detailed discussions.

“It was approved as part of the agenda, but there was no separate in-depth debate,” Kang said, emphasizing that constitutional reform must be handled through the legislature. She added that Lee’s campaign pledge—that constitutional changes would not apply to the incumbent president—remains unchanged.