Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, stated on November 5 that the controversies surrounding social media communication are not inherently negative, emphasizing that rational debate and discussion are beneficial.
During the first episode of the YouTube program 'The President's Y,' which aired at 9 p.m. on KTV Imagine and Lee Jae-myung TV, the president explained the rationale behind his policy decisions and answered questions from the public. The 30-minute program was hosted by former MBC anchor Son Jeong-eun and filmed at the Cheong Wa Dae's Sangchunjae.
In response to suggestions that he should reduce his social media activity, President Lee acknowledged the validity of such opinions but asserted that controversies have their own value. He stated, "Policies naturally lead to debates due to differing positions, and we should not fear controversies; the more rational discussions we have, the better."
He compared the question, "Why does the president use social media?" to asking, "Why does the president meet people in person?" He noted that there are people living on social media, and they are also citizens of South Korea.
President Lee explained that he discovers ideas and important issues on social media that may not be included in government reports, allowing him to grasp situations more quickly than through official documents. He clarified that quoting critical posts is not intended to attack individuals but to present the raised claims alongside his own stance to the public.
He mentioned that he reads even critical comments, countering claims that he is "trapped in an algorithm." He said, "I see insults and criticisms as well," and expressed his intention to utilize social media more extensively in the future.
He likened direct communication with the public to a "lifeline," stating, "If I had not communicated directly with the people, I probably would not be in this position today," emphasizing his belief in the collective intelligence of the citizens.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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