President Lee: “Reform is like cancer surgery ... The later it is delayed, the more the surgery will cost”

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung said on social media (SNS) on the 9th, “Reform aimed at ‘living better together’ is like cancer surgery—something that must be done to overcome illness and live a healthy, happy life.”
Lee shared on X (formerly Twitter) a report that at least 50,000 students from the Seoul metropolitan area applied to nine regional flagship national universities for early admissions for the 2027 academic year. He wrote, “The effects of just one year of balanced regional development policy... From now on, things will improve in many areas enough for people to feel the difference.”
According to the report Lee shared, these effects are thought to have been driven by measures including the government’s “Make 10 Seoul National Universities” initiative and its policy of making tuition free at regional national universities, both pursued to promote balanced regional development.
Lee emphasized, “If you avoid surgery because it hurts, you will suffer longer and more, and may even lose your life,” adding, “The later it is delayed, the worse the disease gets, and the more the surgery will cost.”
He continued, “In a world of diverse views and complex interests, misleading people by saying surgery hurts and they’ll recover even without it, or effectively obstructing things by saying ‘I’m the only one who can do it,’ are also important challenges we must all overcome together.” He said, “This is the very beginning of a difficult, long journey toward a better world where everyone is happy.” He added, “People, please hang in there just a little, just a little longer.”

[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter