Lee: "It Is Dangerous to Appoint Only Like-Minded People... Accelerating Reform of Power Institutions"

"Appointments Are a Means to Achieve Policy Goals"
"Difference May Be Uncomfortable, But Is a Source of Synergy"
"If Opposition's Complaints Are Reasonable and Valid, I Will Accept Them"
"Guaranteeing the Basic Lives of Citizens, Including Vulnerable Groups"
"Ensuring Safety and Peace in Daily Life Is the State's Responsibility"

At a press conference marking his 30th day in office on the 3rd, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the recent controversy over the appointment of ministers and vice ministers, stating, "Personnel appointments are not an end in themselves, but a means to achieve specific policy objectives." He added, "It is dangerous to keep appointing only people who share the same views as oneself."

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at a press conference titled "The President's 30 Days, Media Asks and the People Answer" held on the 3rd at the Blue House State Guest House. Photo by Yonhap News

In response to a reporter's question about his reflections after one month in office, President Lee said, "If I were to make appointments based solely on convenience, it might speed things up and minimize conflicts, but as president, I must pursue a government of national unity that brings the people together." He continued, "To make concrete, you need to mix cement, gravel, sand, and water; if you only gather cement, you end up with a lump of cement. Differences may be uncomfortable, but they are also a source of synergy."

Regarding strong opposition from some in the opposition parties, including the National Innovation Party, over recent appointments in the prosecution, he said, "Personnel appointments are important, but not everything can be decided by them. If you start excluding people simply because they have different tendencies, are associated with someone, or are said to be close to someone, it can lead to political retaliation and leave nothing behind." However, he added, "I will ask whether the opposition's complaints have substantive grounds. If there are reasonable and valid reasons, I will accept them and make decisions accordingly, and I intend to continue engaging in dialogue in the future."

On the issue of reforming power institutions such as the prosecution, President Lee stated in his opening remarks, "We will push ahead with reforms of power institutions entrusted with the people's authority at a swift pace."

Regarding legislative conflicts, he said, "The previous administration's excessive and unreasonable policies, as well as its hard-to-understand unilateral actions, greatly worsened the situation and severely damaged the medical system, resulting in significant national losses. There is a need for prompt dialogue and honest debate."

He went on to say, "After meeting with medical organizations since taking office, I found that distrust was the biggest cause. With the change in government, tension and distrust seem to have eased somewhat. I believe that with appropriate compromise, these issues can be sufficiently resolved." He also expressed hope that the Minister of Health and Welfare would be appointed soon.

Regarding the establishment of a social safety net to protect vulnerable groups, President Lee said, "We will thoroughly safeguard the lives of our people with a robust 'social safety mattress,'" and added, "We will build a tighter social safety net to protect vulnerable groups who stand unprotected in the face of economic challenges, and move toward a society where every citizen's basic life is guaranteed."

President Lee also emphasized, "The state's foremost duty is to ensure the people's safe and peaceful daily lives," and continued, "From uncovering the truth behind social disasters to devising measures to prevent the recurrence of industrial accidents, we will not neglect our responsibility to build a safer society. We will transform workplaces of death into workplaces of life, and ensure that bereaved families no longer have to cry out in the streets."