President Lee Jae-myung on the afternoon of the 16th visited the National Fire Agency and the National Tax Service in succession and encouraged public officials working late into the night.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that "this evening, after concluding ministry work reports held at the Sejong Convention Center, President Lee visited sites responsible for public safety and national revenue collection and encouraged public officials working late into the night under heavy workloads."
President Lee first visited the 119 integrated situation room of the National Fire Agency to personally check on-site response conditions, including handling emergency calls and dispatch control. He then toured the Central 119 Emergency Medical Control Center and the 119 aviation operations control room, praising the hard work of firefighters.
President Lee shook hands one by one with 16 employees on duty and encouraged on-site staff by asking in detail about shift patterns, commute times, and whether they had eaten.
President Lee then visited the National Tax Service. National Tax Service Commissioner Lim Kwang-hyun explained, "Since the National Tax Service was launched in 1955, this is the first time a president has come to the NTS late in the evening to personally encourage employees."
President Lee visited the Delinquency Management Innovation task force (TF), launched in Sep., to receive reports on the status of managing high-amount delinquents and tailored collection strategies, and encouraged employees for their hard work. When Commissioner Lim said, "Even if I tell them not to work overtime, employees don't listen," President Lee joked, "Ask the NTS commissioner to buy you a meal," prompting laughter on site.
President Lee toured several departments within the National Tax Service in turn, greeted employees working late into the night one by one, and took photos with those who requested commemorative shots. He asked for continued efforts to build a society where faithful taxpayers are respected.
The Presidential Office said, "The 119 integrated situation room of the National Fire Agency and the National Tax Service employees visited by the president today will receive ballpoint pens bearing the president's signature and a small token of encouragement."