Lee says comments and likes are 'important acts of participation'

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called on the public to engage in everyday political and social participation, saying "participation and small acts of practice build a world of reform." He said that leaving comments, posting on social media and clicking "like" are all forms of action toward building the society people want.

Lee posted the message on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "A world where people live without unfair privilege — a world of shared prosperity that lifts the weak and checks the powerful — becomes possible only when those who truly want it act and practice."

He said that impeaching an anti-democratic president and electing a new one does not automatically bring reform. "Impeachment only stopped regression and collapse," he said. "Electing a new president is not the end of reform, but the beginning."

Lee identified public participation as the driving force behind reform. "Reform also needs momentum, and that momentum comes from the people," he said, adding that those who use reform as a means of personal gain, or groups that stand to lose their vested interests through reform, cannot be expected to support it or those leading it.

He also invoked former President Kim Dae-jung's words that "a conscience that does not act is on the side of evil." Lee said that "a trained and organized minority with ill intent often controls a well-meaning but scattered majority," and urged the public to forge ahead as they have done before.

Lee also cautioned against accepting online information uncritically.

"We must constantly reflect so as not to blindly follow information fed to us with our eyes and ears shut," he said. "To prevent our good intentions from being exploited for someone else's profit, we must not be lazy about seeking out information and thinking critically."

He went on to say that everyday online actions — comments, messages and social media posts — are themselves a form of active participation. "Spreading hidden truths and facts that the media ignores and YouTubers distort, through comments, messages, phone calls and SNS posts, and even pressing 'like' on a comment — these are all necessary and important acts of practice in that moment to build the world we wanted," he said, drawing a parallel with those who risked their lives standing against martial law troops and armored vehicles.

He cautioned, however, against online participation descending into personal attacks or crude exchanges. "Once it degrades into a dirty brawl, it doesn't matter who started it. There are forces that deliberately try to drag things down to that level," he said. "Let's respond to lies, abusive language and slander with confidence and principled, dignified criticism."

"Let the watching public be the judge — even if they act crudely, let us carry ourselves with dignity," he added. "They fight for private gain, but we are warriors of light fighting for a better future for the nation and a better life for the people."

He closed by saying, "The public's attention and encouragement — and particularly the participation and practice of my 'presidential friends' — are truly needed. I trust you will join us."

The message was posted on the day Lee returned home after attending the UN General Assembly in New York and making a state visit to Mexico. He was abroad from Monday through Sunday, during which the two countries signed 16 MOUs and adopted a separate declaration on AI cooperation.