Yoon "Sorry for Not Fully Considering the People's Will"... Emphasizes Livelihood and Communication (Comprehensive Report 2)

First Apology After 4·10 General Election Defeat
Lee Jae-myung Open to Meeting Request
Accurately Understanding On-Site Policy Demand
Calls Cash Support "Economic Populism, Drug"

President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his apology on the 16th regarding the crushing defeat in the April 10 general election, stating, "I apologize to the people for failing to properly heed and uphold the will of the people, starting from the president." This marks the first time since the election that President Yoon has directly or indirectly used the expression "sorry" to apologize.

According to a senior official from the presidential office who met with reporters, President Yoon made these remarks during his closing statement at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning. Earlier, on the 11th, regarding the election defeat, President Yoon conveyed through Chief Secretary Lee Kwan-seop, "We will humbly uphold the will of the people, reform the government, and do our best to stabilize the economy and people's livelihoods." The closing remarks released that afternoon went a step further than the morning's opening statement, which mentioned, "Despite setting the right direction for state affairs and doing our best, we fell short of creating changes that the people could feel."

Yoon: "I Have Been Whipped by the People... Reflecting on How to Do Better"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 16th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Yoon likened the election defeat to a mother's disciplinary whip and emphasized the need for reflection on how to improve going forward. According to a presidential office official, President Yoon said, "If a child reflects on what they did wrong while being whipped and how they will act in the future, the meaning of the 'whip of love' given by the mother will grow stronger," adding, "How well and how much we do politics for the people is something we must think about as we receive the whip from the people."

He also reiterated the importance of communication and listening. President Yoon self-assessed, "While the party's election campaign was evaluated, on the other hand, the government's operation was subject to the people's harsh judgment," and said, "The essence of this is to communicate more." Earlier, in his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting, he reflected, "Since taking office two years ago, I have walked the path for national interest looking only at the people, but I have not lived up to their expectations," adding, "Despite setting the right direction for state affairs and doing our best to implement it, we fell short of creating changes that the people could feel. Even if the policies are broadly for the people, there were shortcomings in detailed areas."

He also emphasized humbly accepting the public sentiment revealed through this election and strengthening communication with the National Assembly going forward. Since the 22nd National Assembly, like the 21st, is characterized by a minority ruling party and majority opposition, cooperation is necessary for legislation related to government tasks. It is interpreted that the administration accepted public opinion that cooperation must be strengthened because if it fails to secure cooperation from the opposition during the remaining three years of the term, it could degenerate into a "plant government."

In his opening remarks, President Yoon said, "While fulfilling the government's responsibilities, we must also cooperate more closely with the National Assembly," and added, "We need to explain well and communicate more with the National Assembly regarding the budgets and bills necessary for stabilizing people's livelihoods." In his closing remarks and subsequent meetings with aides, he said, "'I will do anything for the people,' 'What can't I do for the people?'" A presidential office official said, "President Yoon said several times, 'I, as the president, was wrong and will communicate more and better going forward. Ministers and public officials should also strengthen communication, including with the people.'"

The presidential office also expressed willingness to accept Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's repeated requests for a summit meeting. When asked by reporters whether they would respond to Lee's repeated requests for a summit, the official explained, "President Yoon said, 'What can't I do for the people?' and the answer is included in that," adding, "Everything is open." However, they added that they would assess the appropriate timing for communication with the National Assembly after observing the formation of the 22nd National Assembly and the ruling party's leadership structure, noting that at least some physical time is needed.

When a reporter mentioned that new communication methods such as press conferences and door-stepping (brief Q&A on the way to work) are being discussed, the official said, "Although not mentioned, we have considered many communication methods," adding, "Various conditions have not aligned so far, causing delays, but we expect diverse communication, including the methods you mentioned, to take place going forward."

Yoon: "Lack of Overcoming the Time Gap Between Policy and Field"

On the morning of the 16th, citizens at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, are watching President Yoon Suk-yeol's opening remarks during the live broadcast of the Cabinet meeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon stated that there is no problem with the direction of the policies the government has pursued so far and reiterated his determination to reject populism. He plans to accurately identify field demands so that the people can quickly feel the effects of policies, but he views simple cash handouts as a future drug. President Yoon clearly expressed his stance against indiscriminate populism. He said in a strong tone, "Indiscriminate cash support and populism ruin the country's future," adding, "Economic populism corresponds to political collectivism and totalitarianism, and in light of our future, it is like a drug." This appears to be a criticism of the 250,000 KRW per person livelihood recovery support fund proposed by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung as an April 10 general election pledge.

The presidential office also supported President Yoon's position that there was no problem with the government's direction so far. The official said, "It seems that the majority or even an overwhelming majority opinion is, 'The direction of state affairs is right, but there are problems with the style of governance and communication methods,'" adding, "The policy direction is the collective opinion of our people condensed through the last presidential election. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration came to power based on that will and operates the government accordingly, so fundamentally changing the policy direction due to a simple incident or election would be breaking a promise to the people." Regarding personnel reshuffles, the official said, "There are talks about key personnel and organizational issues. We will carefully review this. Since these are important personnel and organizational matters, sudden decisions are not appropriate."

Regarding the four major medical reform tasks, including increasing medical school quotas, President Yoon expressed his determination to complete the reforms regardless of the election defeat, as they are prerequisites for revitalizing essential and regional healthcare. He emphasized, "We will continue to pursue the three major reforms and medical reform, while paying more attention to and listening to reasonable opinions." With the 2025 academic year university admission schedule, the final decision point for the medical school quota increase, approaching, the medical community's demand for a "re-discussion of the medical school quota increase from the starting point" could provoke social confusion. However, he did not completely close the door to dialogue and adjustment. Since the medical community has suggested that if they bring reasonable and unified proposals, adjustments to the medical school quota increase are possible, President Yoon emphasized that the channel for dialogue remains open and that they intend to negotiate.

Yoon: "Rising Oil Prices Bring Greater Pain to Ordinary People"... Orders Response

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes the national flag at the Cabinet meeting held on the 16th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon expressed concern over the worsening Middle East situation due to Iran's attack on Israel and ordered the activation of an emergency economic security response system to ensure thorough preparedness. He said, "The armed conflict in the Middle East is not a distant event happening elsewhere," adding, "Instability in the Middle East directly leads to rising international oil prices, which causes enormous damage to our economy and supply chains."

He explained that since 60% of the oil used in South Korea is transported through the Strait of Hormuz and the country's dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil reaches 72%, the impact is inevitable. President Yoon ordered meticulous responses, saying, "The massive increase in transportation costs and rising international oil prices will directly lead to inflation and cause greater pain to ordinary people." He urged all ministries to operate analysis and management systems related to energy supply and supply chains to ensure thorough situation management.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, and President Yoon included a memorial message. He said, "Although 10 years have passed, the situation of April 16, 2014, is still vivid in my mind," and offered brief condolences, "I pray for the repose of the unfortunate victims and once again extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families." This is the first time President Yoon has delivered a memorial message for the Sewol ferry disaster in his own voice since taking office.

On April 16, 2022, the 8th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, then President-elect Yoon posted on Facebook, "I remember the sorrow I felt eight years ago today," and promised, "I believe the most sincere tribute to the Sewol victims is to make South Korea safe. I will strive until South Korea becomes safe. I will not forget." However, on the 9th anniversary last year, he neither attended the memorial ceremony nor issued a separate message, drawing criticism from bereaved families and opposition parties.