President Lee Jae-myung said at a news conference marking his first year in office, held at the Blue House state guesthouse on the 8th, that while neutrality must be maintained, there were many scenes that were hard to understand regarding the June 3 local elections, adding, I think this is ultimately a warning from the people.
Lee said, Looking at the Seoul election, there is a big gap between the combined votes for district heads and the combined votes for the mayor, asking, Isn't it daunting that voters choose the Democratic Party for district heads or city councilors while choosing another party for mayor? Lee added, In the past, people voted straight down the ticket, but these days they pick one by one, and said, We must fear each and every voter.
Lee said, In the past, Park Ji-won said that in golf and elections, you lose if you lift your head, adding, Until the very last moment, perhaps we lacked the mindset to speak to and persuade even a single sovereign with our utmost devotion.
Lee said, For two to three days after the election, I wasn't in good shape either, adding, In the end, it's my fault.
Asked whether the policy direction of state affairs could change after the election, Lee answered, Nothing will change. With the authority given, I will do more and faster than now to the fullest extent possible. On choosing Minister Han Seong-sook as prime minister nominee, Lee said, I had no small amount of deliberation, but in the end I chose someone who will focus on work, adding, Political elements will be left to the party, and the meaning for the Cabinet is to go full throttle within the given environment.