A sketch of President Lee Jae Myung's first-anniversary press conference
President Lee Jae Myung's first-anniversary press conference centered on reviewing the past year under the theme of "recovery and normalization" while laying out his vision for the next year of governance under the keyword "irreplaceable Korea."
Lee held the live-broadcast press conference Monday at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan banquet hall. It was his fourth such event, following a 30-day conference in July last year, a 100-day conference in September and a New Year's press conference in January.
A banner reading "Irreplaceable Korea — a country the world cannot do without" was displayed at the front of the venue, conveying the message that Korea's endeavors will set new global standards.
The event opened with the lights dimming for a video presentation titled "The path of great transformation built by the people — one year of recovery and leap forward for all," offering a condensed look at the year's governance.
After watching the video with attendees, Lee spoke in a composed tone, reflecting on the past year before presenting his vision for the second year of his presidency.
Lee wore a black suit with a white tie featuring light-blue stripes — the same tie he wore at the 21st presidential inauguration ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Aug. 15 last year. Cheong Wa Dae said the tie symbolizes a pledge not to lose sight of his original intentions and hope for Korea, and reflects his commitment to earning public respect and staying approachable.
More than 160 domestic and foreign journalists attended the conference. Two university students with college press backgrounds were also invited, drawing notice.
Jeong Bo-hyeon, a senior majoring in economics at Ewha Womans University, and Sunwoo Young-hyeon, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at Inha University, posed questions about the concerns and challenges facing younger generations.
The invitation of student journalists was part of an effort to broaden access to the presidential press conference and increase openness.
The same approach was taken at earlier conferences: regional media outlets participated in the 30-day conference, independent media in the 100-day conference, and finance, economics and arts-and-culture YouTubers in the January New Year's conference.
Senior Cheong Wa Dae staff were all in attendance, including Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Policy Office chief Kim Yong-beom, along with senior secretaries for political affairs, public relations, public outreach, civil affairs, personnel, the economy and social affairs, as well as the fiscal planning aide and the first, second and third deputy chiefs of the National Security Office.
Following his opening remarks, Lee fielded questions spanning the economy and livelihoods, politics, diplomacy and security, and social and cultural affairs, responding in a measured tone throughout. He shared his reflections on the past year, outlined his governance vision for the second year of his term and presented four key national objectives.
rimsclub@heraldcorp.com
