President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 9 that his term is "clearly limited by the Constitution, so it is essential to start quickly to enjoy its benefits for a long time."
During a luncheon with expatriates at a hotel in Paris, part of his state visit to France, he noted, "Even if good relations are established in the latter half of my term, the opportunities to utilize them will inevitably be limited." His comments regarding term limits were made in the context of explaining his proactive approach to diplomatic engagement since taking office.
President Lee emphasized that meetings between heads of state and diplomatic engagement provide South Korea, known as an open trading nation, with valuable opportunities for trade, investment, economic cooperation, and security collaboration.
He added, "The countries I have visited as part of my initiatives have seen a significant increase in export growth," and noted that private exchanges have increased, corporate cooperation has flourished, and the expatriate community has become more active.
President Lee has expressed his intention to expand meetings with local expatriates during his overseas trips.
"I want to hear the voices of our expatriates," he said, adding, "If necessary, please submit notes, and I will review them individually and inform you of the results."
He also assured that the government will continuously address issues affecting the expatriate community, such as dual citizenship, overseas voting, and immigration and adoption matters, promising to engage in thorough dialogue between the French authorities and the South Korean government regarding the living conditions of expatriates.
Furthermore, he remarked, "South Korea is undergoing tremendous changes as of the night of December 3, 2024, experiencing revolutionary transformations," while cautioning that the French Revolution also faced backlash when the situation was pushed too far in the process of creating a new system.
He stressed the need for restraint during times of abundant energy, stating, "We must move in a desirable direction while minimizing pain and resistance with the consent of many people."
He added, "We must not repeat the mistakes of the past," emphasizing the importance of being cautious.
Regarding South Korea's international standing, he noted, "There are significant changes occurring in advanced industries, cultural arts, and international status, akin to a transformation of the heavens and the earth," assuring that he will work diligently to ensure that expatriates do not have to worry about South Korea.
On Korea-France relations, he remarked, "It is a remarkable achievement that the South Korean president is visiting France shortly after President Macron's state visit to South Korea," highlighting the many areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
He also referenced the joint hosting of a summit on the film and video sectors by the two leaders, stating, "This not only showcases the international status of South Korean culture and arts but also indicates where France and South Korea will focus their efforts moving forward."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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