On the occasion of his 30th day in office, President Lee Jae-myung held his first official press conference at the Blue House State Guest House on July 3, addressing both the media and the public.
Attended by 147 domestic and international journalists, as well as members of eight grassroots media outlets, the press conference lasted 122 minutes. President Lee opened by acknowledging that his administration began amid a national crisis, and he pledged his utmost dedication to fulfilling the people's mandate.
He outlined immediate actions taken since his inauguration, including the prompt activation of an Emergency Economic Task Force and the proposal of a 30.5 trillion-won supplementary budget. President Lee appealed to the National Assembly to swiftly pass the extra budget to help stimulate economic recovery and boost consumption, vowing to mobilize every possible policy tool to ease the cost-of-living burden for citizens.
Highlighting a “Return of Democratic Korea,” Lee reiterated Korea's renewed presence on the global stage and noted his participation in the G7 Summit, where he promoted Korea’s commitment to democracy and economic revival.
Discussing South Korea–U.S. trade negotiations, he emphasized prioritizing national interests and adhering to the principles of pragmatic diplomacy for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Lee introduced the vision of a “People’s Sovereignty Government,” aiming to embed direct public participation in state affairs through initiatives such as the Citizen Nomination System, National Mailbox, and regional town hall meetings in Gwangju and Jeonnam. He stated that diverse voices from all walks of life would be reflected in policy formation.
Lee expects the three special prosecutors—launched in line with the citizen’s mandate—to play key roles in ending internal strife and restoring democracy. He also announced efforts to reinforce peace by restricting cross-border propaganda broadcasts between South and North Korea.
Although acknowledging the challenges ahead, President Lee pledged relentless effort for the remainder of his term to drive change and create limitless opportunities.
To secure sustainable growth engines, he revealed plans to invest in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, renewable energy, and the cultural industry. Additionally, Lee committed to modernizing Korea’s capital markets in preparation for the “KOSPI 5000 era,” and pledged to stabilize the real estate market with a focus on protecting genuine buyers.
He vowed to dismantle the Seoul-centric system and promote balanced industrial development across regions, pledging comprehensive policy support such as consumer vouchers and targeted aid for regions under risk of extinction, with particular emphasis on balanced regional development throughout all government policies.
The president also promised to strengthen the social safety net to protect vulnerable groups and guarantee a basic standard of living for all citizens. Plans were unveiled to prevent future social and industrial accidents, ensure robust national defense, and promote the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.
Lee underscored his commitment to “pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interest” through strong South Korea–U.S. alliance, expanded South Korea–U.S.–Japan cooperation, and improved relations with China and Russia. He also expressed determination to elevate the so-called “Korea Premium.”
In agricultural policy, the president said his administration would regard agriculture and farmers as strategic national assets, promising swift passage of key agriculture bills and incorporation of feedback from the field.
Finally, Lee reiterated his commitment to institutionalize direct communication with the public and continue reforms of power institutions.
President Lee concluded by pledging to practice “politics of proof”—delivering tangible changes to people’s daily lives—and trustworthy governance in response to the earnest aspirations of the Korean people.
Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”
Photo=Yonhap News
