Lee tells critics of his get-out-the-vote post to consult their mothers on basic moral standards

President Lee Jae Myung hit back at People Power Party standing election committee chairman Jang Dong-hyeok and other opposition figures who criticized his get-out-the-vote remarks ahead of the June 3 local elections, saying they needed to reflect on whether their own "moral and democratic standards of judgment" were sound.

In a post on his X account Wednesday afternoon, Lee said that urging people to "elect capable and loyal public servants, vote without fail, and remember that abandoning politics means being ruled by the most despicable people" could not be considered electioneering that benefits any particular candidate or camp.

"It is no different from advising someone to live righteously and avoid bad company — that is not taking sides or smearing anyone," Lee wrote. "Anyone who does not consider themselves a bad person has no reason to take offense at these words about democracy. Even a thief would not openly show anger at being told that stealing is wrong, however much it might sting inside."

He went on to say that anyone who believed emphasizing the basic principles of democracy and electoral participation amounted to electioneering or a violation of political neutrality "should visit their mother or an elementary school teacher and have an extremely basic conversation about whether their moral and democratic standards of judgment are sound." He added that in a democratic republic, the benchmark for political judgment must be common sense and the people, and that politics should be a competition to perform well — not a race to attack others and profit from their accidental failures.

Lee also noted that no one had objected when former President Lee Myung-bak said he hoped "many citizens would vote," or when former President Park Geun-hye urged people to "be sure to participate in the vote." "That is because they were right," he said.

He closed by urging voters directly: "Citizens of the Republic of Korea — you are the sovereigns and the true owners of the present and the future. Do not give up your vote for the sake of your own future and your family's. Find capable and loyal public servants and be sure to vote."

Earlier that morning, Lee had posted on his X account: "Have you voted so that, as Plato said, you will not be ruled by the worst of people?" The post was widely read as an appeal to voters invoking the ancient Greek philosopher's saying that "the price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."

Opposition figures immediately criticized the morning post. People Power Party standing election committee chairman Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on his Facebook page: "They say a Buddha sees only a Buddha — it seems the vulgar see only the vulgar."

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, shared Lee's post on his own Facebook page, writing: "This is exactly why your vote matters, citizens."