President Lee Jae-myung said on Sept. 12 that he had "never for a moment abandoned" the reform tasks the government is pursuing, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. The comment came as debate over the pace and scope of reform continues inside and outside political circles.

At the same occasion Lee also urged vigilance against radical agitation. The remark is read as directed at situations in which debate over reform slides into emotional confrontation.

The government's reform agenda spans the prosecution and judicial systems, the media, real estate and fiscal structures. Interests differ by area, and the pace has repeatedly diverged at the stage of parliamentary deliberation.

Voices within the governing camp also differ on the order of priorities. One view holds that institutional change should be pushed through at once; another holds that a full process of social consensus must be observed.

The opposition has questioned the procedural legitimacy of legislation advanced under the banner of reform. Deliberation time at standing committee stage and whether public hearings are held have been raised as points of contention.

Political observers read the remarks as reaffirming intent rather than rearranging the agenda. No specific legislative timetable was presented alongside them.

Many of the reform items will be decided within the current regular session of the National Assembly. Because the calendar overlaps with budget review, the order in which bills are tabled is likely to determine the actual pace.