President Lee Jae-myung's use of social media has once again become a topic of controversy. The president's social media presence allows for direct communication between the national leader and the public, bypassing intermediaries. This can effectively convey the intent of policies and inform citizens about the direction of government reforms. Amid a recent slump in approval ratings, President Lee's active engagement on social media may be seen as an attempt to confront the crisis head-on.
The issue lies in the fact that the weight of the president's words differs significantly from those of ordinary politicians. Even posts on personal social media accounts can be interpreted as the official stance of the state. A single impulsive or unrefined expression could escalate domestic political controversies into diplomatic and security issues. The speed and directness of social media, while advantageous, can also pose risks for the president.
During the three-day National Foundation Day holiday, President Lee posted nearly 20 messages on 'X' addressing key issues from prosecutorial reform to real estate matters. While this can be seen as an effort to strengthen communication with the public and find a way out of the political impasse, it also risks appearing as a direct plunge into the midst of political debates. There is a noticeable change in activity levels; the number of monthly posts dropped to 37 around the time of the approval rating deadlock in August but has since surged. In fact, the number of posts made during and immediately after recent trips to the U.S. and Mexico has already surpassed the total for August.
The content of these posts has also taken on a more political tone. When hardliners reacted against the nomination of a candidate for the head of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, President Lee used expressions common among his supporters, such as 'left-leaning,' to clarify his position. A national leader who claims to be 'the president of all' risks significant political backlash by using language that aligns closely with specific political factions. There must be a clear distinction between the language used by a party leader and that of a national leader.
What is even more concerning is that the negative consequences of past social media communications have already been experienced. In April, President Lee faced diplomatic friction after criticizing Israel based on inaccurate information, and he issued strong criticism regarding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers from Ukraine. While direct rebuttals from the president on foreign policy issues may resonate well with the public, they carry a substantial risk of undermining the negotiating power of diplomatic authorities.
Of course, the goal is not to prohibit direct communication via social media. However, it is crucial to strictly differentiate between 'direct communication' and 'impulsive communication.' The president's messages should prioritize accuracy over speed and caution over clarity. For instance, President Sheinbaum of Mexico, who maintains an approval rating in the 70s in her second year in office, holds press conferences on weekday mornings while allowing ministers and experts to explain detailed policy matters based on objective data. This approach, which combines political messaging with policy explanations, is worth considering for ensuring both the speed and accuracy of communication.
What the president truly needs is not an increase in the 'volume' of words on social media, but rather the 'weight' of those words. It is not necessary to respond to every controversy via social media. Sometimes, remaining silent and allowing experts to provide explanations can lead to more effective governance. For President Lee's social media to serve as a channel for national communication that extends beyond his support base, it must evolve from 'expressing what I want to say directly' to 'conveying what the state must responsibly communicate' in a measured manner. The president's words cannot simply be viewed as personal expressions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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