Lee warns against blind devotion to politicians, citing Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun

President Lee Jae Myung cautioned against unconditional devotion to politicians, invoking the words of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

In a post titled "Praise but do not worship, support but do not idolize," published on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday night, Lee wrote that "democracy does not come on its own and is not preserved on its own," adding that "only the ceaseless participation and action of citizens who respond to truth and justice with a living conscience can build and defend democracy."

Lee then recalled Kim Dae-jung's words: "President Kim Dae-jung comes to mind — he said that a conscience that does not act is on the side of evil, and that if there is nothing you can do, at least shout at a wall." Lee also invoked Roh Moo-hyun. "President Roh Moo-hyun also emphasized the organized power of awakened citizens. Why was it not just 'citizens,' but 'awakened' citizens?" Lee wrote.

Lee pressed the point further, writing that "politicians and public figures do need praise and support, but that must not rise to the level of religious adoration or worship."

The remarks were widely read as a warning against extreme factionalism.

However, Lee did not name any specific individual in the post.

Earlier, in a post on X on Friday, Lee had written: "If someone genuinely believes that everything their side says is right and everything the other side says is wrong, that is a serious condition. That is what is commonly called fanaticism."

Lee added: "For normal debate to be possible, what is right must be right regardless of who argues it — only then can we approach facts and truth through discussion. Whether left or right, before or after, we must stay alert against blind faith, extremism and factionalism."