Still the same old Lee Jae Myung
President Lee Jae Myung’s recent press conference Sept. 18 was a rare opportunity to show whether he had his finger on the pulse of Korean society. Housing costs put the squeeze on daily life, stock-market turmoil has hit individual investors and ministerial nominees have become embroiled in ethical controversies. Many expected him to acknowledge the problems and offer solutions, but what they…
President Lee Jae Myung's recent press conference on September 18 provided a glimpse into whether he was in touch with the concerns of Korean society. Rising housing costs were putting a strain on daily life, while stock-market turbulence had hit individual investors. Ministerial nominees had become embroiled in ethical controversies.
Many were expecting the president to acknowledge these issues and provide solutions, but instead, he seemed to be the same Lee they had come to know. When asked about his past comments on jeonse, the Korean lump-sum deposit rental system, Lee clarified that he had previously stated jeonse "would disappear," not that it "should disappear."
He challenged the reporter to provide evidence of him ever expressing the opposite view. The president's focus on his earlier wording, rather than addressing housing insecurity, highlighted a pattern. After a controversial revision of the Criminal Procedure Act eliminated prosecutors' supplementary investigative authority, Lee claimed he had not read the revised provisions. The scene that unfolded during the press conference was not a new or surprising one.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Still the same old Lee Jae Myung koreatimes.co.kr
