[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung's social media messages regarding foreign workers and immigrants from abroad are sparking controversy within the broader ruling coalition. President Lee made it clear that he will continue the practice, calling direct communication with the public via social media a crucial duty.

Han Sung-hee reports.

[Reporter]

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

The presidential office moved to contain the fallout after President Lee's post—saying preferential policies for multicultural families have become problematic and that the need for their abolition would be reviewed—sparked controversy.

Cheong Wa Dae explained that the remarks were not about eliminating support, but rather raising the need to improve the system fairly and reasonably.

However, the repercussions did not subside.

[Noh Hye-ryung / Spokesperson, Progressive Party: Politics that seeks the support of the majority by excluding minorities will only undermine the values of democracy and human rights, far from expanding one's base of support.]

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

President Lee once again took to social media to offer an explanation directly.

He emphasized that correcting excesses in certain policies should not be mistaken for discrimination against multicultural families or measures inciting hatred.

Unlike the progressive parties that took a critical stance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which was cited as an example in President Lee's social media post, initiated a comprehensive review of the system.

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

At a dinner two days ago between the president and senior ruling party lawmakers, remarks were reportedly made advising him to refrain from using social media, but President Lee made it clear he has no intention of stopping, saying, "Direct communication with the public on social media is a crucial duty that must not be abandoned."

(Video by Oh Young-choon and Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek)