President Lee: "I have absolutely no intention of seeking another term; there will be no troop deployment to participate in or intervene in war" (Roundup)

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung directly outlined his positions on various current issues at his seventh press conference since taking office on the 18th. Saying, "The people are always right. It is all because of my shortcomings," Lee reflected on his failure to fully understand the people's sentiments during his administration and presented people's livelihoods, reform and unity as the three pillars of his future governance.
In his opening remarks at the press conference held at the Yeongbingwan State Guest House at Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee Jae Myung said, "The people are always right. I greet you with a sense of remorse," and added, "In the face of modest achievements and the great support sent by the people, my fear and humility have diminished." He continued, "Rather than making excuses that overcoming the crisis and restoring growth were more urgent, or that I did my best to improve people's livelihoods, I will focus as much on improving people's livelihoods as I have on recovery and growth."
A sign reading "We will pay closer attention to the people's will and the people's lives" was displayed at the venue. Unlike at previous press conferences, President Lee continued his opening remarks while standing and devoted considerable time to reflecting on the administration's recent performance. Facing a decline in approval ratings and a series of issues involving personnel appointments and real estate, he appeared to emphasize reassessing public sentiment and refining his approach to governance rather than highlighting a new governing vision.
Until now, press conferences had taken questions sequentially across the fields of people's livelihoods and the economy, politics and diplomacy, and society and other matters. This time, however, the question-and-answer session was narrowed to two areas: politics and diplomacy, and policy and the economy. The move came amid sensitive issues involving personnel appointments, a constitutional amendment to allow another presidential term, and the dispatch of troops to the Strait of Hormuz. Questions were selected directly by Kang Yoo-jung, senior spokesperson for Cheong Wa Dae.
The press conference, originally scheduled for 10 a.m., was delayed by 30 minutes and began at 10:30 a.m. Cheong Wa Dae explained that the start time was adjusted because President Lee was taking the press conference seriously and wanted to refine his remarks until the last moment. President Lee entered the press conference room wearing a dark navy suit and tie, with a more solemn expression than usual.
President Lee Jae Myung clearly rejected calls for a constitutional amendment to allow him to seek another term, saying he was not considering such a bid. He emphasized, "My serving another term through a constitutional amendment is constitutionally impossible," and added, "Let me state this firmly once again: I have absolutely no intention of seeking another term."
However, he indicated that he was open to pursuing constitutional reform, saying, "The 1987 Constitution is no longer a garment that fits the Republic of Korea, and I will work to ensure that it can be amended through reasonable debate between the ruling and opposition parties and a national consensus." Nevertheless, he pointed out that claims by some that he intended to introduce a cabinet system or a dual-executive system were "preposterous."

Regarding the controversy over withdrawing indictments, President Lee asked the National Assembly to delete the provision granting the special counsel authority to withdraw indictments from the special counsel bill currently under discussion. He said, "I regret that the substance is being unnecessarily distorted," and added, "I hope the provisions concerning the transfer and disposition of cases already indicted are removed from the special counsel's powers, allowing the special counsel to focus solely on uncovering the truth."
He nevertheless pointed out that an investigation into whether indictments had been fabricated was necessary. President Lee said, "I am not the only person who suffered after the previous administration conducted excessive investigations and prosecutions for political purposes. I may have suffered the most, of course, but there were also journalists, public officials, politicians and civilians." He continued, "I believe the truth should be uncovered through a special counsel in cases involving malicious investigations or suspected manipulation," explaining, "If an investigative or prosecutorial body under my direction handles the matter, it will lead to further misunderstandings."
On prosecution reform, he said, "I will responsibly complete the irreversible prosecution reform that is a historic task. After years of effort, the reform agenda of separating investigations from indictments is nearing its destination through excluding prosecutors from investigations and separating the Prosecution Agency from the Major Crimes Investigation Agency." He added, "I will thoroughly inspect and reinforce the system so that prosecution reform can properly protect people's human rights and victims, and allow prosecutors to focus solely on maintaining a fair and reasonable social order, leaving no unjust harm, not even the smallest gap for it to occur."
In response to a question about the dispatch of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the biggest current issues, President Lee replied, "There will be no troop deployment involving participation in or intervention in war."
President Lee said, "It is clear that we must carry out the minimum activities, as other countries do, to protect our merchant vessels, crude oil transport routes, and the lives and safety of our people," adding, "However, I think our people are worried because the boundaries may be unclear and the activities could potentially become mixed up."
He continued, "As you know, the Cheonghae Unit has already been deployed, and the military is preparing for and responding to threats to shipping routes and the safety of our people, including piracy." He added, "It is also true that we are reviewing and carefully considering ways to strengthen these activities. But this is not a troop deployment for participation in, intervention in or support for a war," he stressed again.

He added, "Some of you may be concerned that sending combat troops could mean assigning our soldiers under the command of a foreign military commander and putting them in danger. Let me state this clearly once again: there will be no troop deployment for war." He continued, "The principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in war has been upheld to date and will continue to be upheld."
Regarding real estate policy, President Lee said, "We will increase supply as quickly as possible through land development, including building permits, as well as reconstruction, redevelopment and urban renewal." He added, "We are expanding financing as much as possible in areas where housing supply can be increased. As a result, supply is expected to rise significantly." He also said, "We have developed and implemented detailed policies to address the difficulties faced by people moving into jeonse and monthly rental housing."

He also answered a question about single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds. President Lee said, "Even a ghost does not know whether a stock price will rise or whether an investment will produce a profit or a loss," and added, "It does seem that there were shortcomings." He continued, "I suspect there may have been some instability in government policy."
Regarding a successor to the vacant chief of policy position, he said he was "still giving it serious consideration." President Lee explained, "There has been a suggestion that we should slightly shift the focus of policy toward strengthening social policy, which currently feels insufficient. I am also considering that point and am looking for a suitable person."
Regarding the negotiations on investment in the United States, President Lee said, "We are engaged in intense debate and consultations to structure the project in a way that serves the national interests of both the Republic of Korea and the United States."
Regarding the postponement of a report to the National Assembly on the investment project in the United States, President Lee explained, "Investment in the United States is a very complex and difficult task."
President Lee said, "They say that an agreement has almost been reached, but after reviewing the details, I found some parts that are difficult to agree to," adding, "We are discussing them again." Looking back on the tariff negotiations, he said, "It was a very difficult and challenging process, but fortunately, we managed to include the phrase 'commercial rationality,' as we wanted," adding, "It was extremely difficult, and it is an expression that other countries do not have."
He continued, "Now that we have begun specific investment consultations, that has started to become an issue again," emphasizing, "We will pursue only projects that have commercial rationality. The national interest is truly important." He added, "We are engaged in intense debate and consultations to structure the project in a way that does not undermine the national interest and benefits both the Republic of Korea and the United States."
Regarding concerns that the Republic of Korea could be left out of the U.S.-North Korea dialogue process, President Lee said, "There is no need to worry about being sidelined."
In response to a question about the possibility of U.S.-North Korea dialogue, President Lee said, "It is impossible to say for certain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un will take place." He added, "What is clear, however, is that Donald Trump wants dialogue. I am also encouraging Donald Trump to engage in dialogue, and we are continuing preliminary coordination to make U.S.-North Korea dialogue possible."

President Lee emphasized, "We may be somewhat distant during the initial stages as dialogue progresses, but the government of the Republic of Korea has a role to play in advancing U.S.-North Korea relations, and our government cannot fail to have a role in promoting U.S.-North Korea cooperation."
He added, "Resuming dialogue between North Korea and the United States is much easier than resuming dialogue between North and South Korea, and it also makes inter-Korean dialogue possible."
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun and Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter