President Lee: "Abstaining from Voting Gives Opportunities to Those Who Abuse Power"... Urges Participation in Local Elections

Second Day of Voting Encouragement: "Give Loyal and Competent Individuals a Chance"

Early Voting Concludes on May 29-30, President Lee Urges Participation in Main Vote

"The Power of Your Vote Is Stronger Than You Think"

Early Voting Turnout Reaches Record High of 23.51%

On May 31, just three days before the June 3 local elections, President Lee Jae-myung appealed to the public to participate in the vote, stating, "The silence and abstention of sovereign citizens give opportunities to those who deceive the people and abuse power for personal gain." With early voting having concluded the previous day, President Lee emphasized the importance of participating in the main vote, highlighting the responsibility of elected officials and the significance of voter choice.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are casting their ballots into the ballot box at the early voting station set up at Samcheong-dong Community Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the first day of early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections, May 29, 2026. 2026.5.29 Photo by Cheongwadae Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

In the early hours of that day, President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), quoting the phrase attributed to Plato: "The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." He then added, "In a democratic republic, the silence and abstention of sovereign citizens grant opportunities to those who deceive the people, abuse power for personal gain, and ruin the lives of myself and my family."

President Lee further stated, "To my respected fellow citizens, I urge you to actively participate in the vote and clearly show that the true owners of this country are the people, where power should be directed, and where the will of the sovereign lies." He continued, "I hope you will seek out loyal and competent individuals who will exercise the power entrusted by the people solely for the people's benefit, and give them a chance."

President Lee also stressed that elections have a direct impact on the lives of the people. He remarked, "Depending on the mindset and conduct of elected officials, the world can become either a hell or a heaven," adding, "The power of your vote is stronger than you think."

He went on to say, "Whether those elected become loyal servants who enrich our lives or malicious rulers who destroy society and bring suffering to the people rests in the hands of the sovereign citizens." By this, he pointed out that in this election, where officials with local government, educational, and administrative authority are chosen, the judgment of voters will determine the direction of future regional administration and policies affecting people's livelihoods.

President Lee added, "If any politicians or political groups find these words uncomfortable, they are exactly the entrenched vested interests that sovereign citizens must overcome through their votes."

Previously, on the second day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, President Lee also appealed for participation, saying, "Giving up your vote is the same as giving up the future of yourself and your family." The nationwide early voting was held over two days, May 29 and 30, and the main vote will take place on June 3. The early voting turnout for this local election reached a record high of 23.51%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.