President Lee Meets Professor Sandel: "Peace Is a Real Benefit, Not a Cost or Loss"

Meeting with Michael Sandel, Author of "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?"
Sandel: "Recently Inspired by Korean Democracy... Wrote a New Chapter"
Shared Views on the Dignity of Labor... Consensus on the Peace Dividend

On September 18, President Lee Jaemyung met with world-renowned political philosopher Michael Sandel, a professor at Harvard University in the United States. Professor Sandel is well known in Korea as the author of books such as "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" and "The Tyranny of Merit."

That afternoon, at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee received Professor Sandel, who is visiting Korea, and said, "You have long been a scholar very much loved by the people of Korea," adding, "In particular, there is a great deal of interest among Koreans in the question of 'what is justice.' You are a professor for the people of Korea."

President Lee remarked, "A rational and just society is easy to talk about, but extremely difficult to achieve in reality," and noted, "Around the world, we are experiencing significant political turmoil, and the rise of the far-right is undermining social stability."

He continued, "Although Korea has gone through difficult times, we take pride in being a model for building a democratic society and a community of solidarity in pursuit of a just society through the revolution of light."

President Lee further added, "When we think of 'democracy' in textbooks, we usually think of Athens, but perhaps in the future, people will think of Seoul, Korea."

Additionally, President Lee emphasized, "It would be wonderful if a peace regime could be established in Korea so that all citizens could enjoy a 'peace dividend.' I also hope it becomes widely known that peace is not a cost or a loss, but a real benefit." According to spokesperson Kang Yujeong, President Lee said, "Profit-sharing is a secular concept, so it is very important for scholars like you to mention that democracy, justice, and peace are practical and real."

Spokesperson Kang reported that Professor Sandel had written a new final chapter for his book "Democracy You Don't Know," stating that "he was recently inspired by developments in Korean democracy."

Professor Sandel also stressed, "To resolve the polarization between workers and elites, it is important to recognize the dignity of labor." In response, President Lee said, "Having more knowledge does not make someone more worthy of respect. People are inherently precious," and added, "Even if one has a high status, wealth, and power, if they cannot appreciate the beauty of the autumn sky or respect humanity, what meaning does it have?"

During the meeting, Professor Sandel presented President Lee with signed copies of "Democracy You Don't Know" and "The Tyranny of Merit." According to spokesperson Kang, the inscription in "Democracy You Don't Know" wished for "the continuation and maturity of democracy," while the message in "The Tyranny of Merit" expressed hope that "politics for the public good will be pursued in difficult times." The meeting lasted about 30 minutes. President Lee had previously held an online video conversation with Professor Sandel in December 2021, ahead of the 20th presidential election.