Lee: 'No sides in fight against corruption; 31st rank in integrity is shameful'

South Korean President Lee stressed the critical importance of eradicating corruption, asserting that there is no place for partisanship in this national endeavor. Speaking at the first anti-corruption policy meeting since his inauguration, held at the Blue House, President Lee stated, "There can be no 'pro' or 'con' sides, no 'your side' or 'my side' in the fight against corruption."

President Lee pointed to the deep-seated nature of corruption, noting its presence in local vested interests and its continued prevalence within the private sector and political circles. He called for a thorough examination and elimination of these corrupt practices. "We must carefully examine and eliminate the vested interests of local powers, corruption that still remains deeply rooted in the private sector, and the corruption that persists in politics," he urged.

The president outlined the core objective of his anti-corruption policy: to ensure that South Korean society operates rationally and fairly, enabling the nation to advance as a global leader and an "irreplaceable Republic of Korea." He emphasized that a fundamentally just and reasonable domestic order is essential for this progress.

To bolster these efforts, the government plans to establish a specialized unit, the "Office for National Project Management," within the Ministry of Government Policy Coordination. This new office will be tasked with investigating and pursuing corruption related to national projects and addressing irregularities at the local government level.

President Lee specifically targeted the improper awarding of contracts to companies owned by local council members or their families, as well as the use of unofficial ledgers by some public officials to manage supplies. These remarks signal a direct confrontation with specific forms of local corruption and administrative misconduct.