How Small Efforts in Reform Can Lead to Big Changes: Insights from President Yoon’s National Meeting
Daniel Kim Views
When we talk about reform measures, it’s often assumed that removing a few big things will suffice, but there aren’t many big issues. (The big ones) are generally being addressed. However, there are countless small issues, like dust, piled up in every area. (Those things) – how long will it take to pick them out one by one? (But) we still need to do it. If we don’t, nothing will change.
President Lee Jae-myung said this during a Cabinet meeting on the 10th, explaining, “I often throw various things at Cabinet members without warning. You might wonder why the President is mentioning such minor details, but there’s a reason for it.”
He explained that despite being described as practicing ‘mangi chinlam’ (personally overseeing all state affairs), he has to be meticulous and detailed in his work to quickly clear away the layers of accumulated problems, likening them to dust.
President Lee emphasized that the extent of progress in a society seems to be determined by how many of these issues are addressed, and he urged Cabinet members to approach their work with the same mindset.
He acknowledged that it’s not feasible for the President alone to monitor everything in the media, comments, messages, and identify all the issues that need fixing.
He explained that when he sends messages to Cabinet members without warning, it’s to encourage them to do the same – to pass information down to department heads, who should then inform division chiefs. If all one million public servants work sincerely in this manner, he believes issues can be resolved more easily and quickly.
Reform is achieved through countless small efforts… We must act now
President Lee emphasized the principle of “many a little makes a mickle” and “drops of water form an ocean.”
He noted that reform is challenging because it requires extreme diligence. “There’s no such thing as revolutionary change in one go. That causes too much shock and bleeding. It provokes too much social conflict,” he pointed out.
He continued, “Reform, or guiding society in a better direction, is achieved through countless small efforts, not through one or two dramatic measures. Let’s focus on doing many small things.”
Above all, President Lee stressed that this is the opportune moment for reform. He urged all government employees and concerned citizens to work hard within their capacity, even if it’s for small changes, for the sake of future generations and public welfare.
He highlighted the difference in the value of one hour at the beginning of his term versus later stages. “We don’t have that much time or opportunity. Later efforts may not be as effective. We need to act now. That’s why I lose sleep over this,” he said.
He added, “An hour of the President’s time is said to be equivalent to an hour of 51.6 million citizens. But even this value differs greatly between the early and later stages of the term. The value is greatest now.” He encouraged everyone to work harder, using the phrase “whipping a running horse” to mean pushing for even better performance.
Detailed questions during instructions for maximum deployment of drug enforcement capabilities
In the same Cabinet meeting, President Lee ordered maximum deployment of enforcement capabilities to tackle drug issues, describing it as both a public health problem and an underground economy issue.
Even then, the President focused on details and emphasized speed. After receiving a report on intensive crackdown activities from Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung, he inquired, “What happened to my previous order to secure personnel at post offices to inspect mail? How many people have been deployed to how many locations, and what are they doing?”
After hearing a related report from Customs Service Commissioner Lee Myung-goo, he noted, “It seems actual implementation hasn’t started yet. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety should quickly allocate personnel and secure the budget. The public is being contaminated, so please pick up the pace.”
He also addressed media reports about some police officers refusing drug tests, stating, “Public officials who are at risk of exposure due to their contact with drug-related work should be regularly checked. This is something to be cautious about.”
Most Commented