President Lee: “Controversy isn’t bad ... There are people on social media, too”

[Financial News] On the 5th, President Lee Jae Myung said amid controversy over his communication on social media that “controversy isn’t a bad thing,” expressing his intention to expand direct communication with the public.
In the first episode of the YouTube program ‘The President’s Y,’ released that day, President Lee said, “People naturally have different positions on policies, so there should naturally be debate,” stressing that “the more rational debate and discussion there is, the better.”
On his use of social media, he said, “There are people on social media, too,” explaining that it was a channel for understanding current issues and getting ideas more quickly than from reports. He also said that citing publicly posted critical comments could help show the public contrasting positions.
He indicated that it would be difficult to comply with demands to check the full backgrounds of the authors of posts he quoted. In response to criticism that he was trapped in an algorithm, he retorted, “I see the insults and the criticism, too.”
Emphasizing the importance of direct communication, he said, “If I hadn’t communicated directly with the public, I probably wouldn’t be here now,” and underscored his trust in the public’s collective intelligence. He also indicated that while the media’s role in conveying information is necessary, it is not sufficient on its own.
He said live broadcasts of Cabinet meetings allow the public to see the government’s decision-making process. He said that side effects, such as errors in statistical descriptions, were currently at a tolerable level, adding, “That is no reason not to make them public.” He also said the YouTube program would be broadcast live and that he would consider going live without prior notice from his office.
He also said that appointing a special inspector could “prevent dangerous situations. It can serve as a preventive measure,” explaining that it would also make the president’s family and aides more cautious.
On responding to violent crimes, he said, “We’re preparing to increase staffing somewhat and strengthen the monitoring system somewhat” to address the limitations of electronic ankle monitors. He added, “Electronic ankle monitors can’t be the whole answer, but that doesn’t mean they’re an unnecessary policy,” and said he would make further efforts to ease public anxiety.
He cited improvements in economic indicators, including exports and the trade surplus, as the most encouraging recent development. In response to people expressing economic hardship, he said, “It hasn’t even been a year and six months since I took office. I have to earn money before I can spend it, don’t I?”—suggesting that more time was needed.
He also said he was most saddened when he heard about people losing their lives in industrial accidents and other incidents. He said the term “accompanied suicide” should be changed, noting, “There are real cases of family members who are unable to make decisions and are killed.” He stressed that “people described as ‘accompanied’ also have the will to live and lives of value.”
Meanwhile, this expansion of President Lee’s direct communication with the public came amid a dispute over the president’s use of social media. The Blue House plans to air programs about 30 minutes long every two to three weeks to answer the public’s questions and explain policies.
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter