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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

President Lee: Election Results Are a 'Warning' from the People

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • President Lee Jae-myung acknowledged the results of the June 3 local elections as a "warning" from the public, stating it was "at best, not a success."
  • He criticized the ballot shortage incident as a "disgrace" to democratic South Korea and praised the young people who protested it.
  • Despite the election outcome, Lee affirmed that his administration's core policy direction will remain unchanged, outlining four key visions for his second year in office.

President Lee Jae-myung has characterized the results of the June 3 local elections as a "warning" from the public, admitting that the outcome was "at best, not a success." Speaking at a press conference marking his first year in office, Lee directly addressed the election results and the significant issue of ballot shortages that marred the voting process.

The public is giving me or this administration a warning.

— Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung described the local election results as a warning from the public.

"There were undeniably unacceptable situations, but even those are warnings the public is giving me or this administration," Lee stated. While the Democratic Party secured victories in 12 out of 16 metropolitan mayoralties, the loss of the Seoul mayoral race was a significant blow. Lee reflected, "I thought a lot about it. It is, at best, not a success. The public is truly a fearsome entity."

Lee strongly condemned the ballot shortage incident, calling it an act that "utterly ruined" the democratic republic of South Korea. He expressed deep respect for the young individuals who protested the situation, stating, "I believe the young people pointing out the problem are truly precious and worthy of respect." He admitted to a potential "lack of sensitivity regarding sovereignty" on his part.

It is, at best, not a success. The public is truly a fearsome entity.

— Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung reflected on the outcome of the local elections.

Despite the electoral setback, President Lee asserted that his administration's fundamental policy direction will not change. He outlined four key national visions for his second year: becoming a "super-gap industrial powerhouse," a "diplomatic and security powerhouse," establishing a "normal society," and creating a "life-saving government."

It utterly ruined the democratic republic of South Korea.

— Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the ballot shortage incident during the elections.

Regarding the controversial "special prosecution bill" that would grant prosecutors the power to nullify indictments, Lee stated that "if it's wrong, cancel it; if it's not wrong, leave it." He also addressed concerns about the potential misuse of supplementary investigation powers for prosecutors, suggesting the matter be left to the National Assembly for discussion. Furthermore, Lee announced plans to unveil real estate tax reforms in July, aiming to fundamentally lower expected returns on property investments, and described the decrease in available rental housing and subsequent price increases as part of a "normalization process."

I believe the young people pointing out the problem are truly precious and worthy of respect.

— Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung praised the young individuals who protested the ballot shortage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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