Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung called for "unity and inclusion" on Tuesday after his nomination of an opposition politician to a ministerial post drew backlash from both the ruling and opposition blocs. Lee made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting, stressing that sustained efforts toward unity are essential to building a society that moves away from extreme confrontation and toward one that embraces differences.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized that the nomination is not a political maneuver but a step towards a normal society where unity and inclusion are prioritized. He argued that politics should not be about rewarding only those involved in power struggles while excluding others, likening such exclusion to war.
On Sunday, Lee nominated Lee Hye-hoon, a former three-term conservative lawmaker, to head the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget. Her nomination has sparked criticism from both sides, particularly due to her past support for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. Lee Hye-hoon apologized for her previous remarks on Tuesday, while some opposition lawmakers labeled her a traitor.
The president also criticized attempts to eliminate groups with differing views, labeling such acts as insurrection. He stated that his greatest responsibility is to foster national unity, viewing differing positions as potential sources of synergy rather than discomfort.
Monday's Cabinet meeting was the first since the presidential compound's relocation back to Cheong Wa Dae from Yongsan, a move Lee described as restoring South Korea's democracy after a period of constitutional erosion under the previous Yoon government.
Lee noted that the return to Cheong Wa Dae is a symbolic milestone, marking the end of the Yongsan era and the restoration of sovereignty and democracy. He reiterated his administration's commitment to placing the people at the center of state affairs and achieving governance through public participation.
Yoon, who was removed from office in April following his failed attempt to impose martial law, had moved the presidential office to the defense ministry compound in Yongsan after taking office in 2022. Returning to Cheong Wa Dae was one of Lee's early campaign promises.
Lee highlighted the nation's resilience in overcoming the crisis triggered by martial law, noting recent positive export and foreign investment figures as indicators of recovery and normalization. "We will move forward toward a major leap for growth that benefits everyone," he concluded.