South Korea's President Lee Jae‑myung pledges growth investments, housing reforms and special prosecutor at 1‑year press

President Lee Jae‑myung marked the first anniversary of his administration with a press conference at the Blue House. He said the surplus tax revenue from the semiconductor sector will be directed toward long‑term investments to raise the nation’s potential growth rate and to develop new "global super‑gap" industries.

He asserted that the government has mitigated pressure on housing prices and promised to accelerate supply measures, including faster approvals for new construction, redevelopment and reconstruction projects. Lee also warned that continued speculation would be curbed.

Addressing political controversy, Lee endorsed a special investigation commission to examine alleged manipulations of prosecutions, stating that any wrongful charges should be cancelled and that the probe must be independent. He emphasized that the law‑making process should respect legal norms and public trust.

On foreign affairs, Lee reiterated South Korea’s commitment to nuclear‑non‑proliferation, noting North Korea’s ongoing production of nuclear material and urging continued diplomatic pressure. He outlined broader national goals under the slogan “Indispensable Korea,” covering AI adoption, energy transition, autonomous defence and social fairness.