President Lee Jaemyung invited representatives from various civic groups to the Blue House on the morning of the 4th for a meeting.

In his opening remarks, President Lee said, "I believe this is the first time meeting with civic group leadership and activists since December 2024 (when the emergency martial law took place)," and encouraged them by saying, "You have all been through a lot."

He continued, "In the busy early days of my inauguration, it was difficult to listen to your opinions in detail, but today I will listen attentively to what you have to say."

In particular, he emphasized, "Throughout the history of South Korea's democratization, civil society has always played a very important role," adding, "Civic organizations will also have a very significant share of the responsibility in the major social reforms we must carry out moving forward."

He then stated, "The world you want and the world I want to build are probably not much different," and added, "I believe your dream is to build a community and a world where everyone is treated fairly, respected, and lives together. The paths and methods to reach that goal may differ slightly, but the differences will not be significant."

President Lee added, "I hope we can work together to create good solutions, a developing country where the public has hope, and a world where a fair and transparent system operates."

Attendees at the meeting included Lee Seung-hoon, steering committee chairperson of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea; Joo Je-jun, policy committee chairperson of the Korea Alliance for Progressive Movement; as well as representatives from MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ), Korean Peasants League, Center for Historical Truth and Justice, National Association of Street Vendors, Peace and Reunification of Korea, Korea Women's Associations United, and Korea Women's National Alliance.

(Photo: Yonhap News)