Lee Jae-myung government's disaster response reform: Safety policies and administrative innovations to protect the lives of the people

Introduction: Repeated Disasters, the People Ask – Where Was the State?

Over the past decade, South Korea has deeply suffered from repeated large-scale disasters. In the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, more than 300 lives were lost to the cold sea, and in the 2022 Itaewon disaster, numerous young people lost their lives amidst a predicted crowd. The Osong underpass flooding incident was also a 'foreseen disaster' that could have been sufficiently prevented in advance. All of these tragedies were not mere accidents but rather structural failures of the national system, at the center of which was an absent state. The public asked, 'Where was the government?' There is a government that has responded most directly to this question. The government of Lee Jae-myung, which took office in 2025, declared in its inaugural address that it would 'clearly investigate the facts surrounding social disasters such as the Sewol, Itaewon, and Osong underpass incidents, and ensure they never happen again.' This was not merely a response to disasters but an expression of the will to fundamentally innovate the national system itself. This article examines the philosophy and policies that the Lee Jae-myung government is practicing in disaster and safety administration, and how they differ from the past.

Failures and Structural Issues in Past Government Disaster Response

The Sewol Ferry disaster was not merely a failure of rescue operations. The initial response was inadequate, there was a lack of a command system for rescue operations, information was concealed, and the bereaved families were excluded. The Itaewon disaster was similar. Despite predictions of large crowds, there was no preparation, there was a lack of leadership on site, and the cooperation between the police and fire departments was virtually non-existent. These two tragedies reveal several common issues. First, there is a lack of a control tower. There was no clear entity responsible in emergencies, and related agencies shifted responsibility onto each other. Second, there is bureaucratic administration. Disaster response was bogged down by reports and regulations rather than effectiveness on site, and the situation was always lagging behind. Third, there is the exclusion of victims. The bereaved families and the public were alienated from the truth, and only political turmoil remained. Fourth, there is the repetition of post-disaster measures. After each disaster, the phrase 'never again' was uttered, but the structure did not change. President Lee Jae-myung has defined this reality as 'abandonment of responsibility by the state' and has called for a fundamental transformation of disaster administration.

The disaster response philosophy and consistent actions of President Lee Jae-myung

President Lee Jae-myung has maintained a firm philosophy on disaster response since before taking office. He attended the 10th and 11th anniversaries of the Sewol Ferry tragedy in person, where he met with the bereaved families and emphasized that "the truth has not yet been revealed." During his campaign rally in Ansan in 2025, he also sought to comfort the victims' families, pointing out that "repeated tragedies are the result of structural neglect and incompetence." His actions related to the Itaewon tragedy were even more symbolic. Shortly after taking office, on the day he visited the flood control center to check preparations for the rainy season, he unexpectedly went to Itaewon's "Path of Memory and Safety." After a quiet moment of remembrance, he stated, "Under the Lee Jae-myung government, such tragedies will never be repeated," engaging in conversations with the merchants one by one. This was not merely image management it reflected the sincerity of a leader striving to respond to the pain of the people. For President Lee, disaster and safety are not political issues, but the very reason for the existence of the nation itself.

Disaster and Safety Administration Reform of the Lee Jae-myung Government: Philosophy and Policy

The philosophy of disaster administrative reform promoted by the Lee Jae-myung government is resolute and clear. "The state must be a system that protects the lives of its citizens," and "Safety is food, and peace is the economy." This philosophy is not just a declaration it is being connected to specific policies. First, there is a strengthening of the prevention-centered system. A big data-based prediction and warning system is being introduced to proactively respond to predictable disasters such as floods, heatwaves, and inundation, and habitual flood-prone areas and sewer maintenance have been designated as key management targets. President Lee Jae-myung directly visited the Han River Flood Control Center and instructed to carry out "substantial maintenance," demonstrating a leadership that values the field. Second, there is a pursuit of balance between responsibility and compensation. Following the philosophy that "responsibility must be strictly questioned, but authority and compensation must go hand in hand," there is a reform of the performance-based public office compensation system. During the monsoon preparedness meeting, the entire process was broadcast live for 80 minutes, implementing transparency and responsible administration. Third, there is an expansion of citizen participation. Through the full disclosure of meetings and information, the establishment of a real-time disaster information sharing system, and the enhancement of community-centered education and training, citizens are transforming from mere recipients of information to active participants in joint responses.

The challenges and tasks faced by reform

However, reform is never smooth. First, there is significant resistance from the bureaucratic system. The culture of evasion of responsibility and the inertia of administration do not change overnight. Second, the political culture that politicizes disaster response hinders victim-centered fact-finding. Third, as we enter the era of climate crisis, the nature of ultracomplex disasters is increasing, requiring a response system that transcends the limitations of existing systems. Fourth, the cooperation system with local governments and the private sector is still insufficient, which can act as a bottleneck for structural reform. In this reality, the sustainability and institutionalization of reforms become paramount challenges.

Conclusion: Politics for Life, Prove it through Action

The disaster and safety administrative reform of the Lee Jae-myung government is not just an administrative improvement. It is a practical response to the fundamental question of 'why does the state exist.' This president has stood before the bereaved families, visited the site, and begun to speak to the people about responsibility and truth. That is the beginning of change. Now, the people demand action beyond words. Disasters cannot be completely prevented, but damage can be reduced, and accountability can be clearly assigned. That possibility lies in the authenticity of the reforms that the Lee Jae-myung government is demonstrating and in its structured actions. The state must be an entity that protects the lives of its citizens. It is time to prove that obvious truth not through words but through systems. The first step has already begun, and now it is the state's responsibility not to stop that step.