Outgoing National Cohesion Committee Chairman Lee Seok-yeon: "An Organization That Panders to Those in Power Has No Reason to Exist"

[Financial News] Presidential Committee of National Cohesion Chairman Lee Seok-yeon emphasized on the 9th, as he stepped down from his post, that "the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion must serve as a channel for candid criticism, conveying to those in power the pain and anger of the people, as well as the voices of the silent majority."
In a farewell address posted on Facebook after a farewell ceremony held at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee said, "An organization that only tells those in power what they want to hear and engages in performative activities to flatter them has no reason to exist."
Lee said, "The past year was a deep and difficult period in which I asked myself and reflected on what national cohesion truly means in South Korea." He continued, "Conflict and division are unavoidable in a democratic society. In fact, a society without conflict cannot necessarily be called a healthy one." He stressed, "What matters is how we handle conflict. If we regard others as enemies and reject them simply because they think differently from us, democracy loses its place to stand."
He also pointed out, "If politics becomes trapped within partisan camps and the people are divided into opposing sides and lose trust in one another, South Korea's future cannot be bright, no matter how much the economy grows or national power expands." He added, "There have been many cases in which politics has amplified conflict and divided our society through confirmation bias and partisan logic. Before politicians speak of national cohesion, they must first demonstrate cohesion through politics itself."
Lee took office on September 9 last year as the inaugural chairman of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion under the Lee Jae Myung administration, but stepped down on the 9th after his term was not extended. On the 3rd, Lee said, "I realized that this administration's views and philosophy on national cohesion differ greatly from mine," adding, "I intend to step down in accordance with the president's wishes."
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter