President Lee: "Social Media Is a Lifeline; Could I Have Withstood a Barrage of Malicious Attacks Without It?"

President Lee Jaemyung holds tea time at Chunchugwan on the 19th

Responding to criticism that his frequent social media use is "too casual"

"Even kings went to taverns in back alleys to hear what people were saying"

President Lee Jaemyung called his social media accounts (SNS) his "lifeline," saying, "If I hadn't had social media, would I have been able to withstand the barrage of malicious attacks?"

At a Chunchugwan briefing on Oct. 19, President Lee said that he considered his frequent use of social media one of his strengths.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks with reporters in the lobby of Chunchugwan, the press area at Cheong Wa Dae, on Oct. 19, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also said, "Would I really have been able to become governor of Gyeonggi Province if I hadn't communicated directly with the people, appealed directly to them and listened directly to their opinions?" He added, "I often encourage politicians to use social media to increase their contact with the people," emphasizing, "When it comes down to the final moment, the lifeline that can save you is your connection with the people."

President Lee continued, "It may sound strange in today's terms, but the idea that you have to 'go among the people' and 'breathe alongside them to survive' is a political principle passed down from the past." He explained, "The people are the owners of the state, and state power operates for their benefit, so isn't direct communication necessary?" He added, "Do we need to avoid selling directly to consumers just to accommodate intermediaries? Don't we encourage direct sales?"

In response to criticism from some that communication through social media is "frivolous," President Lee said, "I find it difficult to agree with that criticism." He said, "In the past, even kings would secretly put on ordinary clothes at night and go to taverns in back alleys to hear what people were saying." He added, "People accept it when I meet and talk with vendors at market stalls, but the claim that it's wrong to interact on social media with people who insult me anonymously is also a fixed idea."

President Lee also said, "Why do people act as if the president is some great and solemn figure?" He added, "I see myself as the leading player among public servants who represent the people." When President Lee went on to say, "I'm working hard to figure out how to give people fewer things to pick on," those in attendance laughed.

He said, "I'm also trying to diversify the ways I communicate," adding, "I'm looking into ways to meet people face to face whenever possible."

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