President Lee Jae Myung says he intends to continue communicating directly with the public through social media and other formats despite criticism over the frequency and style of his recent online messages. In a September 30 post on X, Lee described social media as a direct channel between himself and citizens and said difficult political conditions make direct communication more important.
Lee said he wants to expand that approach beyond social media, listing press conferences, debates, field visits and live online broadcasts as ways to communicate without relying only on intermediaries. He also said he would listen more closely to public opinion and report directly to citizens about government work.
More channels beyond social media
The comments came amid a domestic debate over the president's growing use of X. Critics have questioned whether frequent posts are appropriate for presidential communication, while Lee has argued that social media helped him respond to what he describes as distorted or hostile coverage and remains an important way to reach supporters and the wider public.
The debate also overlaps with a separate controversy over a presidential-office report that Lee posted online with a confidential marking. The presidential office says the president has final authority over whether such material remains confidential. Lee's latest comments indicate that the controversy has not changed his broader plan to keep direct public communication at the center of his media strategy.