"South Korean Presidential System Is Not Autocratic at All"
"Autocratic Only in the Authoritarian Era"
"I Don't Think We Should Keep Quiet Just Because the President-Elect Wants It"
"Not a Conflict Between Old and New Powers"
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 26th that "the distorted frame of the so-called 'imperial presidency' operated (during my term)," claiming that this was a wrongful attack against him.
On the same day, during a JTBC broadcast titled "Moon Jae-in's 5 Years," in a conversation with former anchor Sohn Seok-hee, President Moon responded to the question "What do you think was the most poorly evaluated aspect during your tenure?" by asking back, "Was I an imperial president?" and made the above remarks.
President Moon said, "Rather, I was told, 'You have the authority, so why don't you exercise it?'" and added, "Then what kind of emperor am I?" He mentioned, "If so, was former President Roh Moo-hyun an imperial president? He was very modest," and stated, "Our country's presidential system is not imperial at all but very democratic. The president's authority is defined by the constitution and is not an overwhelming power that can be wielded arbitrarily. Actions must be taken within the scope of the law."
President Moon explained, "In the past authoritarian era, the imperial president was one who exercised extralegal powers beyond the authority defined by the constitution or laws under the legacy of authoritarianism," and said, "I believe they framed me with this to attack me."
Additionally, President Moon emphasized that income-led growth and minimum wage increases were underestimated. He said, "Employment increased significantly over five years, and our economy grew much more. This deserves a fair evaluation."
President Moon also stressed that it is natural for a sitting president to express opposing opinions to the president-elect who will run the next government. He stated, "There is a reason why government organizations exist, and if the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is to be abolished without fully understanding this, it is the (incumbent president's) duty to oppose by saying, 'That doesn't quite fit.' I don't think one should just keep quiet because it is what the president-elect wants. Why is this called conflict?"
Regarding the clashes over personnel authority between the old and new powers, he said, "The president should exercise the president's authority, and the president-elect should exercise the president-elect's authority," adding, "However, out of political ethics, it is better to listen to the president-elect's opinions and resolve matters amicably, especially for personnel with fixed terms."
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