To President Lee, who said “I wouldn’t exist without social media,” Park Ji-won delivers a pointed message: “Get some sleep.”

[Financial News] Park Ji-won, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, advised President Lee Jae Myung, who has been highly active on social media (SNS) in recent days, to get adequate rest and use “more measured language,” saying, “It would be good to get some sleep.”
Appearing on BBS radio’s “Jeong Hye-seung’s Morning Journal” on the 22nd, Park was asked by the host whether concerns had been raised about President Lee’s health after the host mentioned his frequent SNS activity. “I also think it would be good to get some sleep. The president needs some rest,” he replied. He added, “I publicly urged the new chief of staff to ‘make sure you manage the president’s mood well, too.’”
The previous day, the 21st, Park also commented on JTBC’s “Lee Ga-hyeok Live” on the controversy surrounding President Lee’s approach to communicating on SNS. “World leaders such as Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are all active on social media these days, and there is a strong move toward direct democracy,” he said. “President Lee’s direct appeal to the public also has significant positive aspects. If he wants to do it himself, what’s wrong with that? What great direct communication that is!” he said in praise.
Park added a caveat, saying, “Still, since he is the president, I’d like him to use ‘presidential language.’” When the host asked whether he meant that Lee’s wording needed to be a little more measured, Park nodded and said, “That’s right.” He also mentioned his own experience of aides urging him to stop because of his active SNS use, adding, “Even when my aides tell me, ‘Please stop,’ isn’t this the only channel I have to appeal directly to the public?”
Earlier, after opposition attacks continued over President Lee’s recent post saying, “I asked Gemini AI,” in connection with controversy over the chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency sitting in on a State Council meeting, Park came to his defense. “People can ask AI, and I believe the president made the final decision to post it because he considered it appropriate,” he said.
Meanwhile, despite concerns within and outside his party and debate over presidential decorum, President Lee remains determined to further expand direct communication through SNS.
At a press conference held at the Chunchugwan Press Center at Cheong Wa Dae on the 19th, President Lee responded to criticism from some that his SNS activity was frivolous and unbecoming of the president’s stature. “I find that hard to agree with. Is the president some great and solemn being? He is just a leading player among the public servants who represent the people,” he said. He added, “If there had been no SNS, would President Lee Jae Myung have existed? It is like a lifeline and a breathing space in my connection with the people.”
Indeed, President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on the 20th, “I should work even harder to communicate directly with the people.” On the 21st, he reaffirmed his determination to broaden his contact with the public on all fronts, saying, “I will increase live broadcasts of government affairs, media engagements, visits to the field, and SNS.”
[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter