Lee urges focus on struggling citizens, criticizes welfare cuts without naming target

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in an October 11 post on X that caring for people facing the greatest hardship was the work of government, administration and politics. He criticized people who had lived comfortably through family privilege and high office, saying they could struggle to understand ordinary citizens' difficult lives. Lee questioned whether officials enjoying benefits paid for by taxpayers while cutting small welfare budgets could understand those unable to afford fruit or forced to skip meals over modest living costs. Asia Economy reported that he did not identify a specific target or example. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]

Lee warned that decisions made thoughtlessly by people in power could harm lives they had not seen or considered. He urged politicians continually to ask why they engage in politics. His message followed an October 10 post saying politics and power should turn toward people with little influence or wealth, who needed greater attention and support. According to Asia Economy and Newsis, Lee also said he would continue communicating directly through social media and visiting ordinary people's surroundings with security kept to a minimum, despite criticism that this lacked dignity or authority. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo reported speculation in political circles that the welfare-budget comments referred to Gyeonggi Governor Chu Mi-ae (추미애). Chosun Ilbo noted that Lee had not named the person criticized and said comments responding to his post included criticism of the governor. The newspaper described controversy over welfare-related budget reductions in Gyeonggi. It also reported an earlier dispute over Lee's nomination of Kim Ji-yong (김지용) to lead the serious-crime investigation agency: Chu had called him a pro-Yoon prosecutor and unsuitable, while Lee rejected that description and called him anti-Yoon. [ 4 , 5 ]