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President Lee Jae-myung delivers remarks during a meeting with presidential advisory bodies and committees at the Blue House on May 21. / Photo courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jae-myung gathered 19 presidential advisory bodies and committees on May 21, declaring, "Now is the time to deliver tangible results that substantively improve the lives of our citizens through a new vision." The remarks signal a strategic pivot, as the administration approaches its first anniversary, shifting its focus from normalizing state affairs to generating outcomes that the public can genuinely feel.

The policy proposal and coordination functions of each committee are expected to become increasingly vital as the administration transitions its focus toward public-facing outcomes and structural reform agendas.

"In two weeks, we will mark the first anniversary of the administration's launch," President Lee stated during the meeting with presidential advisory bodies and committees held at the Blue House in the morning.

"While our primary focus until now has been on normalizing the domestic systems that had fallen into irregularity, we must now produce realistic milestones that meaningfully enhance the daily lives of our people through a renewed vision," President Lee emphasized.

He continued, "While we execute state affairs through public officials and civil servants, that alone is not enough. We rely heavily on your invaluable advice, policy proposals, and consultation backed by your professional expertise."

President Lee encouraged the advisory panels and committees to voice their opinions with greater freedom. "Although navigating various chat rooms takes up a significant amount of my time and keeps me awake until late at night, I find it incredibly helpful," he noted. "Monitoring diverse online communities and social media platforms to hear criticisms and complaints directed at me provides immense value."

He also underscored the freedom of criticism and counsel. "The core characteristic of an advisory body is to offer candid perspectives," President Lee said. "Please feel entirely free to criticize and advise. At the same time, I trust that you remain fully aware that a single, unified organizational principle must always operate."

Furthermore, President Lee pledged to ensure substantive compensation for the activities of the advisory bodies and committees. He instructed Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, to review measures aimed at improving the treatment of members, including their committee allowances.

"These are individuals dedicating their precious time and leveraging professional capabilities, yet their practical compensation remains completely insufficient—a matter I intend to rectify," President Lee said.

The meeting was attended by three major advisory councils, including the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, the National Economic Advisory Council, and the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology.

Representatives from 16 other committees, including the National AI Strategy Committee, the Basic Society Committee, the Pop Culture Exchange Committee, the Economic, Social and Labor Council, the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, and the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion, were also in attendance.