[Anchor]
President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to Mexico, pointed out that making excessive claims to demonstrate ideological purity acts as an obstacle to reform. His remarks are interpreted as targeting writer Rhyu Si-min, who recently criticized President Lee over prosecution reform and other issues.
Kang Min-u reports from Mexico City.
[Reporter]
Meeting with fellow Koreans in Mexico, President Lee Jae-myung spoke about the achievements and difficulties of reform, noting that there is another obstacle in addition to resistance against reform.
[President Lee Jae-myung: "They make excessive claims to show off their distinct purity. It might look cool because it is sharp and clear, but in reality, it is not easy to produce good results."]
President Lee said that during the former Roh Moo-hyun administration, the ruling and opposition parties almost reached an agreement to remove toxic clauses from the National Security Act but ultimately failed, adding that a similar situation is playing out today.
[President Lee Jae-myung: "Someone suddenly started to object, saying, 'It must be repealed altogether; where in the world do you only half-repeal (the National Security Act)?' The words sound nice, of course."]
This was effectively a reference to the arguments of hardliners within the ruling bloc at the time, prompting interpretations that the remarks were aimed at writer Rhyu Si-min.
After Rhyu stated on September 22 regarding prosecution reform that "the president deceived the public," Cheong Wa Dae expressed regret yesterday (September 24), saying he had "distorted the president's commitment to prosecution reform."
President Lee pledged to take good care of overseas compatriots during his time in office, and also made the following remark regarding his presidential term:
[President Lee Jae-myung: "Please do not worry, as I will never, under any circumstances, remain past June 2, 2030."]
This is seen as drawing the line once again on the controversy over a constitutional amendment to allow consecutive presidential terms.
President Lee, the first South Korean leader to make a state visit to Mexico in 16 years, concluded negotiations to amend the bilateral Investment Guarantee Agreement through a summit with President Sheinbaum and also signed 17 memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
Tomorrow (September 26), President Lee plans to attend the Korea-Mexico Business Forum and the K-Expo, expanding the horizons of cultural diplomacy in Mexico, the largest market for K-content consumption in Latin America.
Camera by Jeong Sang-bo | Video Editing by Yu Mi-ra
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