“This is the last chance”··· Ahead of President Lee Jae Myung’s press conference, veteran politicians and experts offer ‘pointed advice’ - 경향신문

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A live broadcast of President Lee Jae Myung’s first-anniversary press conference is shown on a TV in the main concourse of Seoul Station on June 8. Yonhap News

With President Lee Jae Myung’s job approval trending downward, he is reportedly considering holding a press conference this week. On the 14th, the Kyunghyang Shinmun asked senior figures in the ruling camp and political scientists what message he should deliver.

They diagnosed the current state of the administration as a crisis of trust in the President and stressed that he must draw a clear line on the controversies over constitutional revision for consecutive terms and the withdrawal of indictments. They advised him to reflect on the limits of one-man leadership in which the President drives appointments and policy, and to restore politics that communicates candidly with aides and with both the ruling and opposition parties. Multiple Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers said, “This press conference is the last chance to revive governing momentum.”

Senior political figures said with one voice that unless President Lee clearly states his position on the withdrawal of indictments and on constitutional amendment to allow consecutive terms, thereby restoring trust, any policy achievements will be pointless.

Jeong Dae-cheol, a senior advisory council member of the Democratic Party, said, “Consecutive terms are prohibited by the Constitution, but remarks by figures such as National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik have created the perception that it might be possible, so this must be clarified,” adding, “The public is questioning even the issue of withdrawing indictments, and because [President Lee] has not stated his position clearly, suspicion has grown.”

Lee Yong-deuk, a senior advisory council member of the Democratic Party, said, “He could just say, ‘I will not seek consecutive terms,’ so why speak in the vein of, ‘In any case, the Constitution doesn’t allow me’?” He added, “As Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor, the President was popular for his ‘cider’ plain-spoken remarks that cut through; his popularity rose because he spoke frankly, so why refrain from such blunt talk and give Jang Dong-hyeok (People Power Party leader) room to attack?”

Choi Chang-ryeol, a special professor at Yongin University, said, “What’s needed is unequivocal language on the withdrawal of indictments and on constitutional revision for consecutive terms that leaves no room for alternative interpretations,” adding, “Even if it hurts his pride as President, he should speak in a way that makes anyone think, ‘He really has no intention,’ so that the opposition’s claims can be reduced to nitpicking.”

Professor Choi said, “With a do-or-die resolve, saying, ‘I will stand trial after leaving office’ is the politically straight path. Trying to resolve matters through legalism is more dangerous,” adding, “If the basics are not set on the issues of withdrawing indictments or constitutional revision for consecutive terms, other policy achievements are meaningless,” and, “It’s like exercising no matter how much and still failing to build muscle.”

On appointments and communication, they advised a shift in attitude to broadly incorporate the views of aides and of both the ruling and opposition parties.

Lee Yong-deuk said, “Personnel is everything, yet there is no one who speaks frankly to the President, and there are far too many vacancies at public institutions,” adding, “He should be leading the country together with people who accurately convey the public’s voice, and it’s regrettable that this is not the case.”

Former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang said, “Appointments should be made half a step ahead of the public’s expectations,” adding, “Yong Hye-in (nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family) was made to step down half a step ahead, and Kim Seung-won (Minister of Justice nominee) should also make a timely decision.”

Moon added, “As for his communication style, it’s better than non-communication, since the previous President was unresponsive. It does lead to mistakes and even misunderstandings of micromanagement,” yet he said that if the opposition is viewed as “something to be extinguished, something to be overthrown,” dialogue and compromise cannot begin.

Lee Jae-mook, a professor of political science and international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said, “If he blames otherssaying the opposition is holding him back or that people inside [the ruling camp] are not helpingthe press conference will have no effect,” adding, “He should take a human approach, speak candidly about what is difficult, and show communication that wins empathy.” He added, “Haven’t progressive presidents historically been better at such candid, empathetic communication?”

On thorny issues such as real estate and the dispatch of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, they said he should seek clues to solutions by sincerely explaining the current situation and showing his deliberations.

Professor Lee said, “By replacing Blue House Policy Chief Kim Yong-bum, I think they have, to some extent, acknowledged the failure of real estate and stock-market policies,” adding, “Unlike the big real-estate forum attended by invited figures, I hope the press conference will address many of the real-estate concerns that average people experience.”

Professor Choi said, “Rather than the comprehensive real estate holding tax, which is limited to a minority, it would be better to listen extensively to experts and reflect their views in policy to resolve the rent and lease issues where side effects are emerging.” He added, “Do you think the President actually wants to send troops? He should show the sincerity that he is fully weighing practical concerns, such as U.S. pressure and anticipated friction with Iran, against the national interest.”

Senior adviser Lee said, “Housing supply is not something the President can accomplish alone, so it’s better to show the public that he is striving,” adding, “The Strait of Hormuz issue requires the wisdom of Solomon; he should exercise prudence by offering technical support and the like instead of dispatching troops.”