President Lee encourages overtime tax staff

Dec 17, 2025, 09:19 am

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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong on December 16. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung made surprise visits to the National Fire Agency’s 119 Integrated Situation Room and the National Tax Service (NTS) in Sejong on December 16 after completing ministerial briefings, offering encouragement to public servants working late.

Lee first toured the 119 Integrated Situation Room, where he observed emergency call intake and dispatch operations. He also visited the Central 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center and the 119 aviation operations control room to commend firefighters for their dedication, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

The president then stopped by the National Tax Service.

When NTS Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyun remarked, “Even when I tell them not to work overtime, they don’t listen,” Lee joked to staff, saying, “Ask the commissioner to buy you dinner.”

Commissioner Lim expressed gratitude, noting that since the NTS was established in 1955, this marked the first time a president had visited the agency late in the evening to personally encourage on-duty employees.

Lee also visited the Tax Arrears Management Innovation Task Force, launched in September to assess high-value tax delinquents and develop tailored collection strategies. He praised staff members for their late-night efforts to uphold tax justice and strengthen the nation’s fiscal foundation.

The president urged officials to “continue working to build a society where honest taxpayers are respected.”

According to the spokesperson, employees at both the 119 Integrated Situation Room and the National Tax Service will receive pens bearing the president’s signature along with a modest stipend in appreciation.

#Lee Jae-myung #National Tax Service #overtime work #119 Integrated Situation Room #National Fire Agency