President Lee Jae-myung expressed his willingness to talk with the future leader of the People Power Party. The final round of the election for the next leader of the People Power Party is being contested among candidates from the anti-impeachment faction opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, but regardless of who wins, he reaffirmed his previous stance of 'engaging in dialogue with the opposition.'
On the 24th (local time), President Lee conducted a news conference lasting over 50 minutes on board Air Force One as he headed to the United States from Japan. During this session, when asked, 'Is the thought of engaging in dialogue with the opposition still valid, even if a candidate from the anti-impeachment faction is elected as the leader of the People Power Party?' he replied, 'If an official opposition leader is elected through legal procedures, then of course we need to talk.'
President Lee noted, 'Isn't the question whether we will tolerate a political leadership group that seems to have colluded with insurrection if a leadership group opposing impeachment is formed?' He added, 'Representative Chung Cheong-rae likely had such concerns. It's a very difficult issue.'
President Lee said, 'From the president's perspective, even if such people are elected, those who chose them are also citizens,' and added, 'It is currently unclear what legal or political sanctions may occur regarding this.'
Regarding the refusal of Democratic Party of Korea leader Chung Cheong-rae to engage in dialogue with the People Power Party, he emphasized, 'The stance of Representative Chung, who is the leader of the ruling party, and the president's position are different. While I won the presidential election with the support of the ruling party, from the moment I took office, I must represent the people, not the ruling party.'
He also addressed recent declines in approval ratings. President Lee said, 'The People Power Party is holding a national convention. I think there has been considerable influence from that,' and added, 'In politics, it's more important for the conditions of people's lives to improve than to create temporary good results by making a pretty package.'
He commented, 'As the river flows to the sea, there may be storms and rough waves, and the current in the valley may also become fierce, but if you dwell too much on that, your judgment may become clouded.' He added, 'If the objectively appearing public approval ratings change negatively, would I feel good? (However) in politics and governance, if you only do what benefits you for popularity, your management will not go well.'
President Lee stated, 'Who likes to pay a lot of taxes in the tax reform issue? Wouldn't people prefer to eliminate taxes?' He also said, 'If you promise to eliminate taxes, you may gain popularity, but in the end, it would ruin the country's finances. That can't happen.'