President Lee: "Politicians Need Praise and Support, but Not Religious Adulation or Worship"

"Citizen Participation and Action Create Democracy"
Lee Also Mentions Former Presidents Kim Daejung and Roh Moohyun

President Lee Jae Myung said on Nov. 8, "Politicians and other leaders need praise and support, but these should not become religious adulation or worship."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, that day, President Lee said, "Praise them, but do not glorify them; support them, but do not worship them."

President Lee Jaemyung speaks to Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta during an expanded summit meeting over lunch at the Blue House on Nov. 6, 2026. Yonhap News.

President Lee stressed, "Democracy does not come about on its own, nor is it protected on its own. Only the constant participation and action of citizens who respond to truth and justice with clear reason can create and safeguard democracy."

He added, "I am reminded of President Kim Dae-jung's words: 'A conscience that does not act is on the side of evil. If you have nothing else you can do, at least shout at a wall.' President Roh Moo-hyun also emphasized the organized power of awakened citizens. Why did he say 'awakened' citizens rather than simply citizens?"

On Nov. 6, President Lee also said, "If you think everything your side says is right and everything the other side says is wrong, that is a serious condition. That is generally called fanaticism," adding, "We must guard against blind faith, extremism and factionalism."

Meanwhile, on Nov. 7, President Lee criticized the separation of KTX and SRT under past conservative administrations, saying, "I will make sure to prevent privatization of the public sector that increases the burden on the public." He added, "It was part of a plan to privatize the railway sector by selling off only the profitable parts to private companies."

President Lee reposted a post saying that the number of passengers had increased following the current administration's integration of KTX and SRT. He explained, "By integrating the two, we are reducing the possibility of privatization while improving efficiency, including through lower fares and an increase in passenger numbers."

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