Lee Seok-yeon, who has been controversially dismissed as the chair of the National Integration Committee after suggesting that President Lee Jae-myung should resign for the sake of national unity, stated on September 9, "If the National Integration Committee is merely an organization that flatters power with pleasing words and performative activities, it has no value in existence."
After completing his resignation ceremony at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno, Lee posted on Facebook, asserting that the committee should serve as a channel for conveying the pain and anger of the people, as well as the voices of the silent majority, to those in power.
He added, "Politics often exacerbates conflicts and divides our society through confirmation bias and partisan logic." He emphasized that politicians must demonstrate unity in politics before advocating for national integration. He warned that if individuals view their opponents as enemies and reject differing opinions, democracy will lose its place.
Lee further stressed, "If politics is confined within the walls of factions and the public is divided and distrustful of one another, no matter how much the economy grows or national power increases, the future of South Korea cannot be bright."
Lee, who took office in September last year, has stepped down after just one year. Some analysts suggest that his call for the president's resignation led to his effective dismissal. Following Lee's remarks, Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, sharply criticized him.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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