[Viewpoint] The Meaning Behind "The People Are Eternal, but Administrations Are Short-Lived"

"In the end, I believe this is a warning from the people." (One-year anniversary press conference on June 8)

"I humbly accept the sober judgment of the people." (A post on X (formerly Twitter) on June 10)

President Lee Jaemyung bowed his head repeatedly following the June 3 local elections. At the press conference, he stated, "The people are like the sky," and added, "Even if there is no rain, I consider it the president's responsibility. Whatever happens, I must feel responsible for it." In his post on X, he said, "I will work with even greater humility, embrace more people with a wider reach, and do my best," while also apologizing by saying, "I am sorry to the people."

Public sentiment toward the current administration turned noticeably colder during the local elections. The main reasons appear to be the ballot shortage crisis that occurred during the election process and the surfacing of previously suppressed public backlash against the administration. What became clear through the election is that many people have negative feelings about the government's real estate policy. It is also undeniable that dissatisfaction among the 2030 generation with society has become more pronounced.

President Lee remarked on the election outcome, "I admit there was an aspect where I took things too lightly," but ultimately, elections are not run by the president. The party bears greater responsibility. If there is a landslide victory, it is due to the party leadership's contribution; if there is a defeat, the party leadership must take full responsibility. The president's role is to prepare the ground for the party to be able to fight. It is enough to instill confidence by governing well, so that people feel, "We can support this administration." If that is lacking, the administration can easily lose power or be checked by the general or local elections. Nevertheless, what matters more is how fiercely the party fights in the election. President Lee's comment, "Elections are like holding a ritual for the heavens," and "Committing one's whole heart and fighting with true humility is fundamentally different from simply going through the motions," reflects this same sentiment.

This election is an opportunity to reconsider the relationship between the government and the ruling party in overall state affairs. One has to ask whether the ruling party has truly served as a supporter of the government. For example, regarding the supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors, the ruling party has clashed with the Ministry of Justice, which has jurisdiction. While opposing the prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights, the ruling party has failed to provide a solution for the obvious "lack of checks on police investigative powers" that would arise from the dismantling of the prosecution. The ruling party's push to abolish supplementary investigation rights continues to face public criticism. In addition, the party leadership has sometimes been out of sync with President Lee's moderate and pragmatic approach to real estate, tax, and labor policies, or has even set itself at odds with the presidential office by pushing ahead too aggressively.

The ruling party has much to reflect on. Although it has taken power, has it still been acting like an opposition party? The president talks about unlimited responsibility, but is the party leadership making laws as if just to make a bold move? President Lee says, "I need to do the maximum possible, to work even harder than now," but is the party preoccupied only with consolidating control over the party? If the administration fails, what is the point of controlling the party? Is the ruling party trying to emulate the opposition, which focuses only on power struggles even after losing government? Have ruling party members tried to curry favor with the president out of personal loyalty? Have they been swayed only by the voices of hardline supporters, rather than working for the nation and the people?

As President Lee enters his second year in office, he needs the ruling party's strong support more than ever. Coordination between presidential aides and party leadership is also crucial. Only then can the Lee Jaemyung administration accomplish its goals. The competition for future power comes next. As the party leader said, "The people are eternal, but administrations are short-lived." In that short time, work for the people. Whoever becomes the next ruling party leader, I hope they will revitalize the relationship between the party and the presidential office and create momentum for effective governance.

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