[#이재명 LIVE] 국민의 뜻, 국민의 삶 더 살피겠습니다 | 이재명 대통령 기자회견

Summary of the press conference (Lee Jae-myung)

Host/format and purpose

• The Blue House Senior Spokesperson Kang Jeong hosted the live press conference.
• The event focused on President Lee Jae-myung’s opening remarks, followed by:
  • press Q&A in politics/diplomacy and policy/economy
  • real-time citizen comments from online viewers
• After the Q&A, Lee would personally respond to one.

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Main arguments from Lee Jae-myung (opening remarks)

1) Apology and reassessment of declining approval

• Lee said the drop in public support resulted from his own shortcomings, including:
  • insufficient empathy
  • insufficient sensitivity
  • insufficient communication during reform processes
• He stated he failed to fully understand the pain and conflict experienced by people affected by reforms, and he vowed to:
  • listen more
  • communicate more
  • act with greater humility and meticulousness

2) Reform philosophy: results over noise, but unity is essential

• Lee argued that reform is harder than revolution and faces resistance from stakeholders.
• He criticized “showy” reform approaches that cause chaos without producing outcomes, saying the government pursued quiet implementation to achieve tangible results.
• He emphasized integration/unity as essential to reforms, which should ultimately converge on improving people’s livelihoods.

3) Prosecution reform: concluding and tightening checks

• Lee said prosecutorial reform is reaching its conclusion, with the goals of:
  • separating investigation and prosecution
  • preventing abuses of investigative/prosecutorial power for political purposes
  • better protecting victims’ human rights
• He also described additional safeguards, including:
  • thorough review and supplementation of the reform framework
  • extra checks to respond to concerns arising from prosecutors’ reduced investigative role
  • high-intensity police reform to prevent the police from becoming an unchecked investigative monopoly

4) “President for all people” and constitutional direction

• Lee reiterated that once elected, a president must represent all citizens, while still respecting the electoral mandate.
• He described a plan for unity through dialogue and deeper public consultation to prevent division during integration efforts.
• On constitutional issues, Lee:
  • supported constitutional change through ruling–opposition discussion and national consensus
  • rejected ideas such as an external cabinet leadership or regency
  • reiterated he has no intention of seeking re-election
  • repeatedly denied any plan for consecutive terms or constitutional mechanisms to extend his tenure
  • stated constitutional amendment depends on the National Assembly and the people, not the president alone

5) Housing/real estate: stabilization strategy

• Lee connected public dissatisfaction largely to real estate.
• He promised stabilization by:
  • avoiding a future “lost 30 years” scenario
  • pursuing balanced development beyond Seoul’s dominance
  • advancing the administrative capital (Sejong) quickly and creating a “dual capital” model (Seoul’s economic role + Sejong’s administrative role)
  • regulating supply and maintaining supply-focused approaches
  • controlling backlash and confusion through stakeholder communication
• He also addressed constitutional reform indirectly as part of “long-standing historical tasks,” noting that the 1987 constitution no longer fits current circumstances.

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Q&A highlights

A) Politics/diplomacy

Approval rating drop (journalist question)

• Lee again attributed the decline to insufficient empathy/communication and lacking respect for the people while managing reforms.

Personnel controversies (Blue House vetting system)

• Lee said recurring controversies involving proposed nominees stemmed largely from shortcomings in processes and anticipation.
• He said he is reworking the HR/personnel vetting system, while acknowledging no system can guarantee zero future issues.

Special prosecutor and fabricated indictment issues (National Assembly role)

• Asked whether the special counsel should be allowed to withdraw indictments in fabricated-charge cases, Lee stressed handling matters according to law and principles.
• He requested the National Assembly remove provisions that grant the special counsel authority over transferring/disposition of existing indicted cases, arguing the focus should remain on truth-finding and reducing unnecessary political controversy.

Hormuz/Maritime security and troop deployment concern

• Lee addressed claims about possible troop dispatch connected to Hormuz:
  • emphasized clarifying terminology (what counts as “deployment” vs. war involvement)
  • stated South Korea would not dispatch troops that involve/intervene in war
  • said only minimal measures are needed to protect shipping routes, crude oil transportation, and citizens’ safety
  • referenced South Korea’s existing naval/security assets deployed near the region
  • described a principle of “no war involvement” while maintaining protective capabilities and considering strengthened measures

North Korea–U.S. dialogue and possible Trump–Kim meeting

• Lee stated:
  • peace and stability require communication
  • North Korea currently refuses dialogue with South Korea
  • dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. could be a “starting point” for broader inter-Korean progress
• He could not confirm whether a Trump–Kim meeting will occur, but said the U.S. wants dialogue and Korea is supporting preliminary coordination to enable dialogue.
• He dismissed concerns that South Korea would be “passed over,” arguing South Korea would not sacrifice long-term national interests for short-term gains.

“Core/support base” and hate speech

• In response to a citizen comment, Lee rejected hate speech and said the “core” is not a single uniform group.
• He reinforced that his administration’s direction continues despite differences, and urged inclusion rather than stigmatization.

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B) Policy/economy

Real estate: diagnosing causes of regional price divergence

• Lee argued the central problem is the concentration of economic power and infrastructure in the capital region, which drives demand.
• He said housing price problems reflect:
  • structural imbalance (Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon vs. the rest of the country)
  • a “real estate myth/invincibility” and speculative wealth logic
  • past policy incentives that increased demand and contributed to high private debt
  • reduced supply due to permit/order cuts (noting supply tightness in the Seoul area as a key driver)
  • liquidity effects and accelerating demand under growth/nominal growth dynamics

Jeonse system (abolition question)

• Asked whether the Jeonse system should remain abolished, Lee criticized ambiguity in prior statements—suggesting timing/decision logic should be clarified rather than treated as a fixed slogan.

Leveraged ETFs controversy

• On leveraged ETFs, Lee acknowledged policy imperfections and explained that the products were designed to help domestic investors avoid certain overseas constraints (including FX considerations).
• He said losses occurred after the products were introduced amid market conditions that later moved downward.
• He said supplementary measures were implemented and issues largely settled, but earlier investors still had grievances.

U.S. investment negotiations (and “commercial rationality”)

• Asked about progress and stability of a postponed U.S. investment project and related legal/judicial controversies, Lee described the U.S. investment as complex and tied to national interest.
• He referenced considerations including tariff/relationship dynamics and legal requirements incorporating the phrase “commercial rationality.”
• Lee said the project is being debated again due to difficult-to-agree-upon details after review.
• He emphasized careful structuring to benefit both countries without compromising South Korea’s national interests.

Abortion-drug policy review framework

• Lee discussed how much presidential authority should be used personally versus delegated to ministries:
  • the state cannot manage everything at presidential level
  • ministries should handle stable administrative work
  • the president should focus on emerging issues and high-impact policy proposals
• On abortion-related medical policy, Lee argued it requires presidential decision because it has remained unresolved for years and because it affects broad societal values and safety concerns—while stating he will delegate authority but hold responsible bodies accountable.

Farmland/real estate backlash explanation (in response to abortion/drug and real estate-related criticism)

• In closing remarks, Lee discussed backlash tied to a farmland survey aimed at identifying speculation or non-farming activity.
• He said the government is trying to verify realities and provide support, while opponents use the issue to expand hostility and misunderstanding.

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Overall tone and direction

• The overarching theme was public trust repair through more listening and communication.
• It also included a strong defense of:
  • completion of prosecution reform
  • a no-war-deployment posture regarding Hormuz
  • a supply-and-balanced-development strategy to stabilize real estate
• Lee repeatedly emphasized reforms must protect human rights, ensure checks and balances, and deliver tangible results rather than relying on slogans.

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Presenters / contributors

• Kang Jeong — Blue House Senior Spokesperson (host)
• Lee Joong-gyu (CBS reporter)
• Song Ji-young / Song Jae (MBN reporter)
• Seo Young-ji (Hankyulhoe / reporter; as transcribed)
• Park Hoon-sang (Dongbo Park Sang; as transcribed)
• Lee Seong-taek (Hankook Ilbo reporter)
• Josiah LB (AFP reporter)
• Kim Seong-hun (Money Today reporter; as transcribed)
• Seo Young-sang (Federal Economy reporter; as transcribed)
• Seo Hyeong-sang (Herald Economy reporter)
• Dong-hoon / Dong-gun (Channel A reporter)
• Seol Seung-hun / Seol Seung-eun (Yonhap News reporter)
• Choi Hyun-kyu (reporter; as transcribed, “military cap”) / Choi Young-gyu (as transcribed)
• Capbak (Bloomberg reporter; name as transcribed)
• Park Jun-hyeok (Daily Hankook; as transcribed)
• Park Jun-young (Daily Korea; as transcribed)
• Lee Jae-myung — President of the Republic of Korea (speaker/answering)