[Anchor]

The political arena remains embroiled in controversy over President Lee Jae-myung's social media messages. As criticism mounted over his post regarding multicultural family policies, Cheong Wa Dae stepped in to manage the fallout, asking critics to consider the context and core intent of his remarks. Amid the controversy, President Lee emphasized that communicating via social media is an essential duty that cannot be abandoned.

Reporter Han Sung-hee has the story.

[Reporter]

Early this morning (October 29), Cheong Wa Dae issued a statement addressing President Lee Jae-myung's social media posts.

The presidential office moved to defuse the situation after President Lee ignited controversy by stating that preferential systems for multicultural families were causing issues and that he would review the need for their potential abolition.

Cheong Wa Dae explained that the intention was not to eliminate support, but rather to raise the need for fair and rational improvements.

However, the repercussions have not subsided.

[Noh Hye-ryeong / Spokesperson, Progressive Party: Politics that seeks to gain majority support by excluding minorities does not broaden one's base; it only undermines the values of democracy and human rights.]

The Rebuilding Korea Party also urged the president to apologize, calling it "a move that distorts support into an issue of discrimination and special privileges," while a Democratic Party lawmaker stated in a phone call with SBS that "an expression of regret by the president is necessary."

President Lee took to social media once again to personally clarify his position.

He stressed that correcting excesses in certain policies should not be misconstrued as discrimination against multicultural families or actions that incite hatred.

In contrast to the critical stance taken by progressive parties, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which was cited as an example in President Lee's post, launched a comprehensive review of the system.

[Oh Se-hoon / Mayor of Seoul: While conducting a comprehensive review (of the system), I instructed officials to refine it more elaborately so that concerns over relative disadvantages can be dispelled....]

During a dinner yesterday between the president and senior ruling party lawmakers, attendees reportedly suggested exercising restraint in his social media use, but President Lee made it clear that he has no intention of stopping, stating, "Direct communication with the public on social media is an essential duty that must not be abandoned."

Video by Oh Young-chun and Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek