“Saying you can’t speak because meetings are public is a lie” ... President Lee: “A true aide must deliver uncomfortable criticism”

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung directly rejected criticism from some quarters over the partial livestreaming of Cabinet meetings that “Cabinet members cannot speak freely because the meetings are public,” saying, “It is difficult to understand why they are pressuring us to hold closed-door meetings, even resorting to lies.”
On the 18th, President Lee shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account a video showing an instance in which he accepted opposing views at an actual meeting, and made the remarks. “Those who have watched public meetings know that Cabinet members, as well as local government heads, say everything they have to say,” he said. “Every public meeting is followed, without exception, by a closed-door meeting to discuss matters that require confidentiality.” He added, “I have always welcomed debate and respected people who voice opposing views, and I emphasize the role of a ‘red team’ within an organization.”
Heo Eun-ah, secretary for national integration at Cheong Wa Dae, echoed his remarks in a reply to the post: “I, too, sometimes offer blunt criticism that may be uncomfortable to hear, including concerns among centrists and conservatives, and each time the president listened and treated my views with respect.”
President Lee praised Secretary Heo as an “excellent aide” and stressed, “A ‘true aide’ is one who tells a superior what is necessary, even if it may be uncomfortable, while accepting personal costs. If an aide withholds what needs to be said to protect themselves, it is difficult for that organization to succeed.”


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