Lee Byung-tae Advocates for Honor Over Profit in Controversial Remarks

Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Regulatory Reform Committee, posted and then deleted a message titled "The Cost of Upholding Beliefs" on social media on July 6.

In the post, he shared a quote from Thomas More, a British lawyer and politician, stating, "If honor (faith) were profitable, everyone would be honorable."

Lee recently faced disciplinary action for his comments regarding the 'Starbucks Gaya-ji' cheer, claiming that the May 18 incident has become a taboo subject. Following these remarks, he received a public warning from the Blue House.

He explained that More's fictional ideal society, "Utopia," lacks private property and values community and morality (honor). He criticized the real world for pursuing profit at the expense of honor and faith, stating, "In short, More had no understanding of capitalism."

Lee noted that when King Henry VIII sought to break from the Catholic Church over his divorce and declared himself the head of the Church of England, Thomas More refused to comply, citing his faith and moral conscience. This ultimately led to More being imprisoned in the Tower of London and executed in 1535 for treason.

He added, "Just before his execution, he left a principled last testament, saying, 'I die the King's good servant, but God's first.' Although he did not understand the positive functions of a market economy combined with the rule of law, he chose a life of 'honor (conscience)' over 'profit (life and power),' as he said."

Kang Yu-jeong, the Chief Spokesperson for the Blue House, commented on July 4 regarding Lee's social media claims, stating, "As someone in a responsible position within a government-affiliated organization, his conduct was inappropriate. We have issued a stern warning and strongly requested measures to prevent recurrence."