President Lee Jae-myung will hold a press conference on September 18. With his approval ratings dropping to the 30% range for the first time since taking office, he will address key issues affecting the nation, including constitutional amendments, troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, and requests for the dismissal of charges in his criminal trial.
Seong Gi-hong, the chief of public relations at the Blue House, announced during a briefing on September 15 that the press conference will take place at 10 a.m. at the Blue House's guesthouse. He estimated that the event, which will include the president's opening remarks, a Q&A session with reporters, and closing statements, will last about 90 minutes. Approximately 150 domestic and international journalists are expected to attend, marking President Lee's seventh press conference since taking office.
The conference will be divided into two main areas: politics and diplomacy, and policy and economics. Reporters will be allowed to ask questions freely without prior coordination, and President Lee will respond directly. The seating arrangement will be designed to minimize the distance between the president and the journalists, and real-time public comments will be incorporated, addressing topics not covered in existing questions.
This press conference is notable as it is not tied to specific milestones such as the 30th or 100th day of his presidency, the New Year, or the first anniversary of his inauguration. Seong described it as simply a “Lee Jae-myung press conference,” indicating a commitment to address recent complex issues without delay.
Analysts suggest that the timing of the conference is closely linked to the recent decline in approval ratings. A survey conducted by Gallup Korea from September 8 to 10 revealed that only 38% of respondents approved of President Lee's job performance, the lowest since he took office, while 51% disapproved (for more details, visit the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website). Seong acknowledged that approval ratings are a crucial indicator of public evaluation of governance, stating that the president and the Blue House are taking this matter seriously.
The most significant political issue is the proposed constitutional amendment. Last month, President Lee outlined plans for a constitutional revision that would include a four-year term with the possibility of re-election and a distribution of presidential powers. During a meeting with expatriates in Paris on September 9, he clarified that his term is constitutionally limited, but opposition parties continue to criticize him for a perceived attempt at “self-re-election.”
Political circles believe that to quell the controversy, specifics regarding the timing and scope of the constitutional amendment, as well as strategies for garnering bipartisan support, need to be clarified.
The issue of troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz is also unavoidable. The government is considering military contributions to ensure freedom of navigation but has not yet made a decision among various options, including combat, non-combat, and reconnaissance roles. Given the pressures from the United States, the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the need to protect oil supply routes, and strong domestic opposition to troop deployment, the president will need to provide clear explanations regarding participation and decision-making criteria.
Additionally, President Lee's request for the dismissal of charges in his criminal trial, raised by both opposition and some members of his own party, remains a sensitive issue. If the president does not clarify his position, the controversy surrounding judicial reform being linked to his personal legal issues may persist.
In the policy and economic sectors, the focus is expected to be on real estate, public welfare, and controversies surrounding ministerial nominations. Recent Gallup surveys indicated that disapproval ratings were primarily due to real estate policies, personnel decisions, and economic and public welfare issues. As the administration emphasizes “public welfare first,” the specifics of follow-up measures to stabilize the housing market and renew personnel will be critical.
Following the resignation of Yong Hye-in, the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, amid controversies over dual roles as a proportional representative and minister, discussions continue regarding Kim Seung-won, the candidate for Minister of Justice, who is facing allegations of lobbying related to a new drug.
Seong stated that the press conference will convey the president's firm commitment to reform, prioritizing public welfare, and delivering a stronger message of national unity. He emphasized that the president will clearly outline and explain his positions and directions on major issues to the public.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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