President Lee Jae-myung said Monday that while a president should never abandon the ideals, values, and promises held before taking office, "one cannot and should not do as one pleases simply because one has become president and the ruling power."
In a post titled "Responsibility and Power" on his X (formerly Twitter) account, President Lee emphasized that "the president's greatest responsibility is to unite the people."
"Until one becomes president, one represents one side, but from the moment one becomes president, one must represent all the people," President Lee wrote. "The reason we debate, gather opinions, and make adjustments and compromises on all public matters—as long as they do not impede the greater good—is not because some opinions are wrong and others are right, but because all opinions have their own validity."
He continued: "The attitude that only my opinion is truth and justice while your opinion is injustice and falsehood can become the cause of extreme confrontation and failure. There is a difference between a position where criticism and advocacy are sufficient, and a position where one must present alternatives equal to one's claims and bear unlimited responsibility for the results."
"While it may be human nature to act according to one's heart, emotions, and self-interest, public figures who must bear responsibilities as heavy as their authority must rigorously seek—with the perspective of a fair third party and cool reason—what path will bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number of citizens and the nation," he added.
President Lee also stated: "No matter how well one packages or hides things, one cannot deceive the public, which has evolved into a collective intelligence. The political standing of specific individuals or groups, or electoral advantages, cannot take precedence over the nation's future or the people's welfare."
He concluded: "We must never forget the formidable wisdom of the great people—that the magnitude of authority and responsibility are equal."