President Lee: "No Intention to Seek a Second Term; Public Disappointment Is Due to My Own Shortcomings"

President Lee Holds Seventh Press Conference Since Inauguration

Responds to Opposition's 'Re-election Amendment' Allegations: "Impossible"

On Declining Approval Ratings: "Sincerely Apologetic for Public's Disappointment"

President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 18 that he has "absolutely no intention to seek re-election." Regarding his recent steep drop in approval ratings, he expressed a sense of remorse, saying, "I am sincerely apologetic," and added, "It is entirely due to my own shortcomings."

On the issue of the Hormuz deployment, Lee clarified, "There will be no dispatch of troops engaged in or involved with war. I can say this clearly." He further explained, "We have always abided by this principle, and this will not change moving forward. However, as other countries do, it is necessary to protect our own merchant ships, oil shipping lanes, and the safety of our people."

President Lee made these comments at his seventh press conference since taking office, held at the Blue House's Guesthouse Hall under the theme "Respecting the Will of the People, Looking After People's Lives, We Will Be Even More Attentive." He stated, "The 1987 Constitution, born as a product of political compromise, is no longer a suitable fit for today's Republic of Korea," and added, "My stance on constitutional revision, including the introduction of a re-election system for the presidency, has remained consistent for a long time."

President Lee Jae-myung is greeting before a press conference at the Blue House's Guesthouse Hall on September 18, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

He continued, "Claims from some quarters that I am trying to introduce a cabinet system or a dual executive system are simply baseless." He repeatedly stressed, "My re-election through constitutional amendment is not possible under the Constitution, and I have made it clear on numerous occasions and through various channels that I have never even considered re-election."

The Blue House has so far dismissed suspicions of a constitutional revision for re-election, raised by the opposition party, as "impossible" and labeled them as political offensives. Nevertheless, as the controversy persisted, President Lee has now directly and unequivocally expressed his intention not to seek re-election.

Regarding his approval rating, which has fallen to the 30% range, he commented, "It is true that I was briefly bewildered in the face of sudden disappointment and concern among the public after the local elections." He emphasized, "After much thought and reflection, I have come to the conclusion that 'the people are always right.'"

President Lee admitted, "Faced with so many tasks, I failed to properly gauge the sentiments of even more people." He apologized, saying, "Because I believed that results needed to be proven through actions, not just clear assertions or declarations, I failed to empathize enough with the inevitable conflicts and pain that accompany efforts for people's livelihoods, reforms, and integration."

President Lee went on, "As small achievements were made and as the people's support grew, I became less humble and less fearful." He confessed, "Because power is to be used only for the people and the nation, I should have approached my duties with a greater spirit of service." Addressing the difficult state of the people's livelihoods, he said, "Even though the economic indicators have improved, I did not respond actively enough to questions such as, 'Why hasn't my life changed?' or even, 'Why is it getting worse?'"

However, President Lee indicated that he intends to maintain the direction of his reforms. He said, "I have been criticized for causing reform efforts to lose focus in my attempts at integration, and conversely, for my sincerity in seeking integration being doubted during the push for reforms." He firmly stated, "What was lacking was the process and the methods employed by myself and the government, not the direction we are pursuing. I can state this with conviction."

President Lee emphasized, "I will restore my sense of humility before the people and take on all matters with more care, from a lower position, and with even greater intensity." He continued, "The highest goal of state affairs is the people's livelihoods—that is, building better lives for our people and a brighter future for the nation." He pledged, "I will tighten my shoelaces, communicate more, show more respect, be more prudent, and show even greater consideration."

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