In his closing remarks at a national press conference held today (September 18) at the Cheongwadae State Guest House, President Lee Jae-myung humbled himself, saying, "I have many shortcomings."

President Lee said, "As I focused so much on the work and heavily on the results, I have now come to realize painfully that not being attentive in the process was a very big problem."

He then pledged, "I will communicate more, listen more, and respect more, but I will never give up on the tasks I originally set out to do and will push forward with great effort."

President Lee concluded his remarks, saying, "I will do my best for a better world, for a 'Daedong World' where all of us live well together, and for a fair world of 'restraining the strong and helping the weak' without foul play and privileges."

In his opening remarks at the press conference, President Lee also addressed the decline in his approval ratings following the local elections in June, saying, "It is true that I was flustered when faced with the sudden disappointment and concern of the public," adding, "The result of much contemplation and reflection was always that 'the people are right.' It is all due to my own shortcomings."

President Lee reflected, "Feeling rushed before so many tasks, I could not properly understand the hearts of more people," adding, "Because of the thought that I had to prove things through results from execution rather than through sharp assertions or declarations, I could not sufficiently empathize with the pain and conflict that inevitably arise in the process of public livelihood, reform, and integration."

He also reflected critically on himself, saying, "Before small achievements and the great support sent by the people, my sense of fear and humility diminished," adding, "Because power must be used solely for the people and the nation, I should have approached it with an attitude of serving even more."

(Photo: Yonhap News)