Flexibility or inconsistency? President's policy U-turns raise questions

President Lee Jae Myung admitted at a Cabinet meeting that his administration has frequently revised policy proposals in response to public criticism. "We have to accept that government proposals are not always right, nor can they be perfect," he stated, urging ministries to consider public concerns and incorporate reasonable alternatives in their policies.

The president's acknowledgment of potential mistakes in policymaking could be interpreted as a demonstration of flexibility, but it also raises concerns about the administration's consistency. As the government has repeatedly modified or reconsidered significant policy proposals due to public opposition, the question of when flexibility becomes inconsistency has gained prominence.

This issue was highlighted during the same Cabinet meeting where the government withdrew a key aspect of its real estate tax reform just a month after unveiling the reform plan.