President Lee: "Conscience Without Action Sides with Evil... We Must Overcome on Our Own"

President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on Sunday (September 27) that "a human-centered world without foul play and privileges, a world of great harmony where the strong are restrained and the weak are supported, becomes possible only when those who genuinely desire it take action and practice it."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, President Lee urged, "Participation and small actions create a reformed world."

President Lee stated, "Reform does not happen automatically just because an anti-public president was impeached and a new president was elected," adding, "The impeachment merely prevented regression and ruin, and electing a new president is not the end of reform, but the beginning."

He continued, "Reform also needs momentum, and that momentum comes from the people," adding, "It is difficult to expect those who use reform as a means to pursue personal gain, or groups that lose vested interests through reform, to help reform or to support and back the drivers of reform."

Quoting former President Kim Dae-jung's remark that "conscience without action is on the side of evil," he pointed out, "There are often cases where a small number of trained, organized, and acting people with malicious intent dominate the good but dispersed majority."

He then urged, "Just as we have overcome on our own, we must forge ahead on our own."

Specifically, he stressed, "We must constantly reflect on ourselves so that we do not blindly obey the given information while closing our eyes and ears," adding, "To prevent our good intentions from being exploited and abused for someone else's moneymaking, we must not be lazy in acquiring information on our own and thinking critically."

However, President Lee added, "If it degenerates into a dirty arena, who started it becomes meaningless. There are also forces trying to induce a low-quality mudslinging arena," saying, "Let us respond to falsehoods, verbal abuse, and slander with dignity and reasoned criticism."

He particularly emphasized, "Even if they act basely, let us take the high road so that the watching public can judge," adding, "Because while they fight for personal gain, we are warriors of light fighting for a better future for the nation and a better life for the people."

He then appealed once again, "The public's interest and encouragement, especially the participation and action of 'friends of the president,' are essential," adding, "I believe you will join us."

The remarks are interpreted as President Lee, who returned from an overseas tour of the United States and Mexico, calling for active backing from his supporters to tackle formidable domestic challenges, such as the reshuffling and renewal of the Cabinet and presidential staff, follow-up measures for prosecution reform including the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and Public Indictment Agency, and resolving conflicts within the broader pro-government base.

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