President Lee Expresses Gratitude to Youth Criticizing Election Commission... Reflects on His Own Sense of Sovereignty

President Lee Holds First Anniversary Press Conference
Responds to Foreign Journalist's Question on Local Election Protests
Criticizes Government: "Failed to Ensure the Right to Vote"
On Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories: "Completely Diffe

On June 8, President Lee Jae-myung expressed his gratitude to the young people protesting the shortage of ballots at the National Election Commission, saying, "I believe they are truly precious and worthy of respect."

President Lee made these remarks in response to a foreign journalist's question regarding protests related to local elections during the press conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, which was held at the Blue House State Reception Hall on June 8, 2026.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the press conference on the first anniversary of his inauguration held at the Blue House State Reception Hall on June 8, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

He said, "I had not considered the issue myself. I thought only about ten people were unable to vote," adding, "I thought it was disappointing, but I did not approach it as a structural problem."

President Lee continued, "Watching many young people raise this issue made me wonder if I have become less sensitive to such matters," and pointed out, "The government failed to properly ensure the right to vote, and, to put it bluntly, handled it carelessly and without adequate measures."

He added, "Perhaps people like us have become desensitized. I felt a sense of regret about our lack of sensitivity regarding sovereignty." He continued, "I almost let it pass without much thought, but I am grateful to the young people who prompted us to reflect on the fundamental issues."

President Lee also said, "That is why I believe we need to come up with fundamental solutions. We have been too complacent," adding, "I intend to gather the heads of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to discuss this matter."

However, President Lee noted, "Although the ballot shortage incident is being mixed with conspiracy theories about election fraud, they are entirely different issues," emphasizing, "Using agitation and indoctrination for political purposes to organize groups is completely different from raising concerns about the inability to vote."

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