President Lee Jae-myung launched his YouTube channel, "President's Y," on November 5, aiming to increase direct engagement with the public. While it is commendable for the president to explain national issues and the rationale behind policies, one question remains after the first broadcast: Does the communication the president envisions align with what the public expects?
Communication is different from merely delivering a one-sided message. It involves listening to differing opinions, engaging in discussions, persuading others, and sometimes even changing one's own views. If the president only explains his thoughts while the public is left to listen, it cannot be considered true communication. Just as the president should express what he wants to say, the public should also have the opportunity to voice their thoughts to him.
During the first broadcast, the president touched on a similar theme, stating, "Controversy is not a bad thing. The more rational debates and discussions we have, the better." He likened social media activity to meeting people in person. However, his subsequent remarks shifted focus to one-sided explanations, such as, "I am not trapped by algorithms," rather than fostering debate and discussion. Given the nature of a recorded YouTube broadcast, expecting two-way communication may have been unrealistic from the start.
As calls grow for the president to limit his frequent social media activity, it is worth considering whether expanding this to YouTube is appropriate. If the goal is genuinely to create more communication channels, that should not pose a problem. However, if it merely expands a one-way communication channel, it raises concerns. If the president continues to focus on delivering his messages more frequently and directly, it may give the impression of appealing only to his support base rather than gathering the opinions of the entire populace. The president's communication should not be limited to connecting with supporters. He himself has stated, "I will be a president for all citizens, encompassing and serving everyone."
There are also concerns that social media could lead to an increased fixation on flawed policies. Social media is fundamentally a space for fandom. Even the most logical criticisms can be met with overwhelming backlash in the comments. As a result, many may hesitate to voice their critiques. Additionally, some criticisms are often overshadowed by supportive comments.
The outcome can be a misperception that policies are effective and well-supported. Despite an unprecedented 91-week rise in apartment prices in Seoul, is it appropriate to explain the existing policy direction unilaterally through social media rather than reconsidering the policy? There is a fear that the president's actions may come across as, "Regardless of reality or public opinion, I will continue to govern according to my principles."
Ignoring the diverse voices of the public can lead to a distorted understanding of reality. Misreading reality will result in misguided policy prescriptions. Focusing solely on explaining the legitimacy of policies through one-sided communication channels, while disregarding uncomfortable statistics and critical opinions, will not resolve national issues.
It is positive for the public to hear more of the president's views. However, this comes with a condition: as the president speaks more, he must also listen more to the public. If the president truly desires meaningful communication, he should boldly increase opportunities to hear the voices of the people and engage in discussions, rather than relying on one-way channels like social media.
What the president needs is not to spread the word that his judgments are correct, but to listen to voices that indicate what is wrong.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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