President Lee Jae-myung Addresses Domestic Issues During Canada Trip

On June 16, while aboard his official aircraft en route to Canada for the G7 summit, President Lee Jae-myung responded to questions regarding domestic matters. Addressing the recent allegations surrounding Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok's debts and assets, President Lee stated, "I asked the nominee directly about the situation, and he assured me that he can adequately explain the allegations. I believe he will clarify everything during the confirmation hearing." Regarding the controversy involving Lee Han-joo, the head of the National Planning Committee, the President remarked, "He is not a public official but rather a volunteer. However, since he holds a position of public interest, it is necessary to verify his background. He has also indicated that he can provide sufficient explanations."

President Lee dedicated considerable time to discussing the supplementary budget and the distribution of support funds. He noted, "There are various opinions regarding the supplementary budget. The nature of the policy—whether it is income support or consumption stimulation—will influence our approach." He emphasized that if it is an income support policy, it would be inappropriate to provide benefits to those who pay more taxes, as it could lead to reverse discrimination. Conversely, if the focus is solely on stimulating consumption, he believes equal treatment is essential.

He further explained, "Given the current economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, it is not unreasonable to emphasize income support. If we focus on income policies, we should provide more assistance to those in need. Additionally, even in consumption stimulation policies, supporting low-income individuals can significantly boost overall consumption due to their higher spending tendencies."

President Lee expressed the need to consider both high and low-income groups in policy formulation, suggesting a mixed approach. He stated, "If we support high-income individuals, it may merely replace existing consumption, while support for low-income individuals is likely to generate new spending. We need to balance these two aspects and will review proposals from the financial authorities and engage in discussions with the ruling party."

Regarding reports of his meeting with the special prosecutors appointed under the so-called 'three major special prosecutor laws,' President Lee clarified, "I have not yet met any of the three special prosecutors in person. However, I did meet Jo Eun-seok, the former chief prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, once during my time as mayor of Seongnam. I have no special connections with them."

On the topic of personnel appointments, President Lee stated, "I do not have specific information regarding appointments, so I am trying to gather as much input from those around me as possible. My goal is to select individuals who are neutral, capable, and suitable for their positions rather than rushing the process. I understand that recommendations for special prosecutor assistants are also coming in, and I will strive to select individuals who align with the purpose of the special prosecutor's office based on surrounding opinions."

When asked about his approval ratings, which stood at 58.6% according to a recent poll, President Lee acknowledged the question's difficulty. He reflected, "I have always had higher approval ratings at the end of my term than at the beginning. When I started as governor of Gyeonggi Province, I was at the bottom of the rankings, but by the end, I had the highest ratings. Similarly, during my time as mayor of Seongnam, I barely won, but my administration's satisfaction ratings were around 80% by the end." He emphasized that his focus is not on his image but on improving the lives of citizens and advancing South Korea. He expressed hope that his approval ratings would be higher at the end of his term than at the beginning, stating, "Setting a specific target is meaningless, but I aim to achieve better ratings by the end of my term."