President Lee Jae-myung held his first official press conference on the 3rd, marking 30 days since taking office, stating, "It has been a time of intense struggle day by day," and added, "Sometimes I think, what if time were not 24 hours but 30 hours?"
President Lee emphasized, "Above all, I am fully committed to restoring the devastated livelihoods." He highlighted the launch of the 'Emergency Economic Inspection Task Force (TF)' as his first 'directive' after taking office and presented the formulation of a supplementary budget of 30.5 trillion won.
He also stated that the top priority for the remaining 4 years and 11 months is to "alleviate the suffering of the people and create a country that can grow and leap again."
To curb speculative demand centered around real estate in the capital region, President Lee mentioned, regarding the extraordinary measure of limiting the housing mortgage loan cap to 600 million won, "(The loan regulation is) just a taste test," and hinted at additional demand and supply measures.
The president held a press conference at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the theme '30 days of the president, the media asks and responds to the people.' This broke the conventional practice of holding the first press conference 100 days after taking office.
The format chosen was not for the president to stand on a podium and answer questions, but to sit closely with reporters and engage in a free conversation in a 'town hall meeting' style.
President Lee noted, "It is more important than ever for the national finances to play an active and bold role," adding, "We have prepared a supplementary budget of 30.5 trillion won more quickly than any previous government. I hope that the National Assembly will swiftly pass the supplementary budget so that it can serve as a catalyst for economic recovery and consumer stimulation."
In line with this, he expressed expectations that all citizens would receive relief payments ranging from 150,000 to 500,000 won, stating, "There will be a consumer stimulation effect along with income support." He continued, "For those who are currently facing financial instability, 150,000 or 500,000 won is a significant amount," and added, "There will also be an income redistribution effect." However, considering the fiscal situation, he mentioned, "There are no additional plans for payments."
In response to a question regarding additional supply measures for price stability related to real estate policies, President Lee commented, "Housing issues arise due to concentration in the capital region; isn't it true that creating a new city will bring about further concentration in the capital region?" and stated, "Establishing new cities is a 'matter of debate.'" He added, "There are many planned new towns already in existence. They are quite substantial. I intend to accelerate the progress."
He asserted, "There are many policies related to real estate, including demand suppression measures and supply expansion measures. Supply measures are not only about new cities and new sites but also include recycling existing sites or utilizing already established lands. There are also many demand suppression measures (besides this loan regulation)."
The president speculated, "It won't be easy, but wouldn't it be much better if this demand transitions from real estate to the financial market?" and stated, "I intend to make that happen. It is quite possible."
He added, "The balanced development policy will take time, but I intend to implement it firmly so that local areas no longer experience population decline or excessive concentration of population in the capital region, changing the overall direction."
To achieve this, President Lee remarked, "In terms of policy or budget allocation, I believe that going beyond consideration for local areas to implement region-first policies is essential for restoring some balance." He also mentioned, "I instructed at the National Security Meeting that when the government makes policy decisions or allocates budgets, a type of weighting table should be created by region," explaining, "By combining various indices such as distances from the capital region and distances from local metropolitan areas, we can allocate budgets based on region-based weightings."
Regarding the U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations, he stated, "It is clear that this will not be easy. It is difficult to assure that we can conclude by July 8," and added, "We need to create mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties, but so far neither side has clearly articulated what they want," while noting, "We are continuing to strive for this."
On Korea-Japan relations, he emphasized 'pragmatism.' President Lee stated, "There are many sensitive issues between Korea and Japan, but we are both close and distant countries that share a front yard," and added, "There are many areas for cooperation, such as security and economic issues." Regarding historical issues, he remarked, "While Korea also suffers, wouldn't Japan feel pain too? Not being able to resolve issues cleanly is part of the agony." He drew the line regarding the Dokdo issue, stating, "Dokdo is territory that Korea effectively controls, so it cannot be called a territorial dispute and should be referred to as a discussion."
He emphasized, "There is no need to mix these two issues (cooperation and historical issues, including the Dokdo problem), and we should maintain a flexible and rational attitude, even if we have to fight with one hand while holding with the other."
President Lee commented, "Completely severing dialogue with North Korea would be truly foolish," asserting that North Korea relations should be improved based on strong cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. He also noted, "Given the current level of hostility and distrust, it will not be easy," and added, "We must gradually ease tensions one by one through dialogue and communication."
He also expressed his thoughts on the recent controversies surrounding various appointments and checks on power. President Lee noted, "There are grievances and shortcomings regarding recent appointments," emphasizing, "I am not the opposition leader or the ruling party leader, but now I am performing the duties of the president representing all of Korea, so I must carry out integrative governance that brings the people together. It would be dangerous to appoint only those who are pleasing or ideologically similar."
He stated, "There seems to be aspects that fall short of the expectations of the people and our support base. If I had selected people that fit better with our ideology, it might have been more comfortable, progressed faster, and minimized conflicts," but added, "Differences can be uncomfortable, but they are also a source of synergy."
Regarding ways to complement the imperial presidency, he mentioned, "If it is possible, I would like to transfer the function of the Audit Office to the National Assembly." He also indicated that he has requested the nomination of a special inspector for oversight of presidential power. President Lee stated, "It will be quite uncomfortable, but it is important to prevent my family and those close to me from experiencing misfortune."
On the subject of prosecutorial reform, he stated, "I believe there is no disagreement that the same entity should not hold both investigative and prosecutorial powers," adding, "Prosecutorial reform, including judicial reform, is a crucial and realistic task."
Regarding the completion timeline for prosecutorial reform, he stated, "It seems that the Democratic Party of Korea representative candidates are actively discussing it to get it done before Chuseok. It might even be possible to create the framework for the system by then," but added, "It will take a long time until a perfect system is established, and it is important that we can sort it out by then (Chuseok). It ultimately depends on the National Assembly's decision."
In response to a question regarding the timeline for implementing the proposed 4.5-day workweek, he suggested a 'speed adjustment.' President Lee stated, "I believe our society must achieve a reduction in working hours in the future," and added, "Some people misunderstand that it will be enforced through law at a certain point. If that's the case, conflicts and rifts will be too intense. It should be done gradually, bit by bit."