President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 8 that the results of the June 3 local elections serve as a "warning" from the public regarding his administration.
During a press conference at the Blue House commemorating his first year in office, President Lee responded to questions about the election outcomes and potential shifts in government policy, saying, "We must adopt a more humble attitude."
He noted, "Whether we won or lost depends on the criteria used. However, if we lost where we were expected to win, that is a different issue. It is at least not a success."
President Lee acknowledged, "I am supposed to remain neutral in political elections, but my expression did not reflect that neutrality. I tried to be neutral, yet there were many scenes that I found difficult to understand. I believe this is ultimately a warning from the people."
He added, "From my perspective in accepting this warning, I believe that even a lack of rain is the president's responsibility."
President Lee emphasized the importance of fully committing to one's duties, stating, "When performing a ritual, one must dedicate oneself completely. It is not appropriate to think, 'Once the ritual is over, let's enjoy ourselves.' It is a matter of whether we can truly give our all."
He compared elections to performing a ritual, quoting Democratic Party member Park Ji-won, who often says, "Golf and elections are lost when you lift your head."
He remarked, "Having a humble attitude and giving your all is fundamentally different from having a different mindset."
President Lee cautioned, "While one might think they can deceive those around them, they cannot fool the collective intelligence of 50 million people who see and hear everything and will act at some point. The public is indeed a formidable force."
Reflecting on his own approach, he admitted, "I may have taken things too lightly. I worked hard and did not engage in wrongdoing, but I did not have the mindset of letting go of anything. I have come to realize that I lacked the determination to persuade until the very end."
He concluded, "For two to three days after the election, I was not in a good state. The conclusion is my own shortcomings. The direction of government policy will not change, but I will strive to work even harder."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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