Seoul:President Lee Jae Myung has announced plans to enhance his direct communication with the Korean public, pledging to utilize social media more extensively than ever.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee was influenced by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who routinely holds four press conferences and conducts three on-site visits weekly to engage with citizens. This approach has inspired Lee to increase his public outreach efforts.
While direct communication by a president can clarify government policies and foster public understanding, it also carries risks. Lee has been an active social media user, averaging six posts daily on X (formerly Twitter) from October 1 to 11. He has faced criticism for his online activities but remains committed to engaging with the public via social media, drawing parallels with late former President Roh Moo-hyun, who also faced scrutiny for his approach.
However, Lee's posts have often sparked controversy, rather than encouraging healthy policy debates. On October 9, he criticized unnamed politicians for having excessive ambitions without sufficient qualifications, seemingly targeting hard-liners within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea who have criticized his approach to prosecutorial reform.
His social media remarks have led to internal party tensions and risk increasing political polarization. As president, Lee's online presence bears official significance, and he must use this platform wisely to foster unity rather than division.