President Lee Jae-myung has increased direct communication with the South Korean public by live-streaming cabinet meetings and utilizing social media platforms [1, 2].

This shift represents a departure from traditional government secrecy, aiming to make state operations more transparent to the general citizenry. By removing the barriers between the executive branch and the public, the administration seeks to build trust through real-time access to decision-making processes.

On July 29, 2023, the administration conducted the first live broadcast of a cabinet meeting in the history of the Korean government [1]. The session, held at the Blue House, lasted one hour and 20 minutes [1]. President Lee ordered the broadcast to ensure citizens were fully informed about major disaster eradication measures [1].

During the proceedings, Lee emphasized the urgency of safety enforcement. "Think of it as a special forces unit that protects human lives, and we must crack down thoroughly," Lee said [1].

Cabinet members also used the platform to signal their commitment to these goals. Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon expressed his resolve during the session. "I will put my position on the line," Kim said [1].

While the administration views these digital initiatives as a way to lower the threshold of state affairs, the approach has not been without detractors. Some observers suggest that the lack of a traditional filter could lead to diplomatic or social instability.

Reporter Kang Jin-won said that while the move is positive for transparency, there are concerns that unrefined messages could cause side effects [1].

“"Think of it as a special forces unit that protects human lives, and we must crack down thoroughly,"”

The adoption of live-streaming for high-level government meetings marks a transition toward 'digital governance' in South Korea. By bypassing traditional press releases and curated briefings, the administration can control the narrative and reach citizens directly. However, this removes the institutional buffers that typically prevent raw, spontaneous remarks from becoming official policy or causing diplomatic friction.