President Lee Jae-myung on the 27th said, "In a Buddha's eyes, one sees a Buddha; in a pig's eyes, one sees a pig." In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that morning, Lee wrote, "People often think others will think and act the way they do," adding the remark.
Lee did not specify exactly what matter he was calling a "pig." But in political circles, there was an interpretation that, in addition to attacks by the media and the conservative opposition on the "creation of a Honam semiconductor cluster," he directly countered criticism from the old mainstream of the democratic camp, including writer Yoo Si-min.
Before posting the "a pig in a pig's eyes" remark, Lee had shared a report suggesting the government was pushing the creation of a Honam-region semiconductor cluster without any "water supply shortage" measures, and said, "Samsung and SK hynix, cutting-edge semiconductor companies vying for No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, are not so foolish as to plan ultra-large-scale plants without review in areas lacking water, which is essential for semiconductor production."
He also said, "Regardless of political positions, please understand and cooperate with the policy of balanced regional development and nationwide mutual coexistence on which Korea's fate depends." This also aligns with a situation in which opposition figures such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon are mounting an offensive over Honam investment led by Cheong Wa Dae, calling it "twisting the arms of large corporations for vote counting."
Some also see it as a direct counterattack to criticism from the old mainstream of the democratic camp, including writer Yoo Si-min. Ahead of the Democratic Party's Aug. 17 national convention, harsh criticism is growing within the ruling camp of the "Lee Jae-myung-style integration and inclusion" line, and the base is splintering quickly. The convention is expected to be a three-way race among former leader Jung Chung-rae, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and former leader Song Young-gil. Depending on who takes control of the party, not only the relationship between the party and the presidential office but also the future power structure of the democratic camp will change.
Writer Yoo appeared on the YouTube program "Kim Ou-joon's Dasboida," released the day before, and, noting that Lee often uses the expressions "president of all," "inclusion," and "unity," said, "I think the president's confidence may have been excessive." Comparing Lee's method of expanding his political base to architecture, Yoo also said that those who supported Lee wanted an "addition," but Lee is actually trying to pursue a "reconstruction" without their consent.
A Cheong Wa Dae official issued a notice to the press that day and said, "What the president posted on social media is principled," adding, "For your reference, we share our regret that groundless speculation and false claims are being spread regarding corporations' investment concentration in the provinces."