Use authority and budgets on behalf of the people
Even ceremonial or low-ranking positions are no different
President Lee Jae-myung underscored the responsibility of public servants, saying that a nation’s fate can change depending on how officials conduct themselves.
On the 17th, at a briefing at the Blue House for public and affiliated institutions, including government-funded research institutes, President Lee said the essential role of public servants is to carry out the duties entrusted to them by the people.
He emphasized that all authority, budgets, and responsibilities held by officials come from the people, and that those powers and resources must be used for the people and the nation, on their behalf.
“I often say that one hour of national civil servants carries the value of 52 million hours,” he said, noting that while higher rank and larger responsibilities amplify an individual’s impact, even ceremonial or low-ranking positions perform the state’s work and are no different in that respect.
He warned that whether people’s lives improve or worsen, whether society becomes hopeful or despairing, ultimately depends on the decisions and actions of public officials.
While the president bears the greatest responsibility, he stressed that those present and the frontline civil servants they lead also have decisive influence over the operation of the state and the lives of citizens.
He urged them to act with that mindset and to do their utmost.
Addressing the institutions reporting that day, he said the briefing covered research institutes and smaller public agencies that had not reported before. Acknowledging that the reports came later than expected, he said he assumed they had enough time in the interim to familiarize themselves with their work.
Whether the interval is long or short, he added, he expects the situation to be improved by the time of the next briefing.
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