"President Lee Should Leave the Party," Lee Seok-yeon Says He Will Step Down, Citing Major Differences with Government Philosophy

[Financial News] Lee Seok-yeon, chair of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion, who made headlines after recommending that President Lee Jae Myung leave the Democratic Party of Korea, will step down from his post on Sept. 9.
On the 3rd, Lee Seok-yeon announced in a Facebook post titled "A Message to the People" that "I will step down as chair of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion effective Sept. 9, 2026."
Lee Seok-yeon said, "Although it was only a short period, over the past year I did my best to achieve national cohesion by recognizing the differences and diversity of each citizen and building on the foundation of restoring constitutional values." He added, "I came to realize that this government's views and philosophy on national cohesion differ greatly from mine."
He continued, "I returned to public office to be loyal to the Constitution, not to be loyal to the administration," adding, "Under these circumstances, I now intend to step down in accordance with the president's wishes."
He added, "If there is one thing I hope for from the president, it is that you will reflect, even in part, the candid advice I have offered in the course of governing, at times despite the risk of causing offense."
On the 18th of last month, Lee Seok-yeon appeared on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's (MBC) "100 Minute Debate" and publicly urged President Lee Jae Myung, "Now that the Democratic Party of Korea's national convention is over, you should leave the party." At the time, he called on the president to pursue bipartisan governance and actively communicate with the opposition, saying that the president "must return as the president of the people, not the president of the Democratic Party of Korea."
However, after Lee Seok-yeon's post was made public, the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion explained, "The current term of Lee Seok-yeon, chair of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion, runs from Sept. 10, 2025, to Sept. 9, 2026," adding, "Please understand that he was announcing his resignation upon completion of his term, and do not misunderstand this as an early departure."

[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter