South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s decision to livestream internal government policy briefings may bolster public perceptions of accountability in the short term, but it risks reshaping bureaucratic incentives in ways that discourage initiative, amplify risk aversion and entrench institutional inertia.

In December, Lee opened to the public what have traditionally been closed-door early policy briefings, placing ministers and agency heads under real-time scrutiny while personally questioning their preparedness, legal reasoning and execution plans.

Supporters have praised the approach as a corrective to bureaucratic complacency and a demonstration of hands-on leadership. Critics have focused on political missteps and public discomfort.