Hong Ik-pyo, the Chief of Staff to the President, expressed regret on September 8 over the political controversy surrounding President Lee Jae-myung's potential re-election, stating that the president will clarify his position soon.
During an appearance on the YouTube program 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory,' Hong said, "It is regrettable that the controversy has intensified despite clear statements made previously," adding that the president will express his views more clearly when given the opportunity.
Hong noted that during a meeting in April with then-Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, President Lee indicated he had no intention of seeking re-election. Hong explained that the president remarked, "What does it mean to say I won't do something I have no intention of doing?"
Regarding the controversy over the 'dismissal of charges' raised by the ruling party, Hong emphasized that the president is more focused on clarifying whether the charges were fabricated rather than on the dismissal itself.
"The president's perspective places more emphasis on the issue of fabricated charges than on the dismissal of charges," Hong said. "If it is clearly established that the charges were fabricated, then the issue of dismissal can be considered naturally afterward." He added, "Maintaining charges based on wrongful accusations is also wrong."
On the issue of deploying troops to the Hormuz Strait, Hong stated that the government's policy has not yet been finalized. He said, "Initially, it appeared as if we were almost entering combat, but that may not be the case," and reassured that the situation is not one that should cause concern for the public, the Democratic Party, or supporters of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
He explained that within the government, there are differing opinions on whether to take an active role considering U.S.-South Korea relations and to proceed with caution, stating, "We will need to discuss this further after the president returns from his trip."
When asked if the U.S. is pressuring South Korea to deploy troops under the guise of economic and security leverage, Hong acknowledged that "it is true that there is some influence," but emphasized that "as a sovereign nation, South Korea will not simply follow pressure and will make its own judgments."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.