Hong Ik-pyo Expresses Regret Over Controversy Regarding President Lee's Potential Re-election

Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo expressed regret over the ongoing political noise surrounding the possibility of President Lee Jae-myung seeking another term, stating, "It is regrettable that the controversy continues to grow even after we made it clear."

Appearing today (the 8th) on the YouTube program "Kim Ou-jun's Humble Is Hard News Factory," Secretary Hong made the remarks in response to a comment noting that "some people suspect why the President is choosing not to explicitly say it himself, given that the matter could be settled with a single word from him."

He added, "When the opportunity arises for him to speak directly, the President will express his intentions more clearly."

Hong also shared that during a meeting last April between President Lee, then-Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, and People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyeok, President Lee remarked on the re-election issue by saying, "I have no such thoughts. What is the point of saying I won't do something I have no intention of doing?"

The presidential office is considering a plan for President Lee to deliver candid messages regarding state affairs directly through a press conference or media interview in the near future, during which he is expected to directly address the re-election issue.

Regarding the timing, however, Secretary Hong explained, "It is hard to give an exact date. September is typically a diplomatic season. He must attend the UN General Assembly, and there is also a scheduled visit to Mexico."

On the so-called controversy surrounding the "cancellation of indictments," he emphasized, "The President's perspective places more emphasis on fabricated indictments rather than the cancellation of indictments."

He added, "Once it becomes clear that it was a fabricated indictment, the cancellation of the indictment can naturally be considered afterward. For instance, it can also be handled under laws such as the 'crime of distorting the law.' Maintaining the prosecution of an inherently wrongful indictment itself is wrong."

Regarding the dispatch of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, Hong stated, "Initial reports came out with a nuance that we were almost certainly participating in the war, but that may not be the case." He added, "This is not a situation that our citizens, or supporters of the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration, are concerned about."

He continued, "While some believe we should actively play a role within the South Korea-U.S. alliance, others hold somewhat concerned views, so discussions are ongoing," adding, "It is a matter that will require further discussion after the President returns from his overseas trip."

When asked, "Is the U.S. side exerting pressure regarding our economy and security concerning the troop dispatch?", Hong replied, "It is true that it exerts a certain level of influence," while also noting, "Since we are a sovereign nation, we make judgments in our own way, and we do not blindly follow just because pressure is applied."

Regarding the "intra-party conflict" that flared up before and after the recent national convention, in response to a question asking, "There is talk that the President dislikes former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae; what is the reality?", Hong answered, "That is not true," adding, "The President has occasionally said in everyday conversation, 'Why would I have any reason to dislike (former leader Jung)?'"

He shared that when President Lee invited former leader Jung, party leader Kim Min-seok—who competed in the national convention on August 19—and lawmaker Song Young-gil to the Blue House, he met with former leader Jung first for a separate meeting lasting about 30 minutes.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.