Lee Jae-myung's First Press Conference as President and the Philosophy of Political Communication

Introduction: The New Grammar of Communication Opened by the '30 Days of Presidency'

President Lee Jae-myung is set to hold his first press conference just 30 days after taking office, drawing attention from the political arena, the media, and citizens regarding his communication style and message. Traditionally, a president's first official press conference is held around the 100-day mark after taking office. However, President Lee has boldly broken this norm and chosen to address the nation just one month into his term. The format, too, is reported to be a 'town hall meeting' rather than the conventional Q&A format, generating significant interest. This change is not merely a shift in style but can be seen as a consistent practice of his governance philosophy, aiming for a deeper connection with the public. These actions align with his promise to 'question and answer together with the people.' Beyond ceremonies, oaths, and inaugural speeches, there is a clear intention to directly explain the direction and philosophy of his governance to the citizens. This could be seen not as a mere event but as the starting point of a communication-centered leadership style.

Main Point 1: The Meaning and Experiment of Town Hall Style Press Conferences

President Lee Jae-myung's press conference in the 'town hall meeting' format shows clear differences from previous presidents. Former President Lee Myung-bak held his first press conference 116 days into his term, while Presidents Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk-yeol had theirs around 100 days in. Former President Park Geun-hye waited a staggering 316 days before holding a press conference. This reflects a common strategy among most presidents to solidify the foundation of their government operations and minimize political risks before delivering a public message. In contrast, President Lee Jae-myung is demonstrating a bold leadership approach by announcing a press conference just 30 days into his term. This is interpreted as a strong confidence in government operations and an intention to build quick trust with the public. Especially since the town hall format is conducted without pre-determined questions and answers, it entails unpredictability and requires high levels of communication skills and crisis management abilities. This press conference is scheduled to begin at 10 AM and is likely to last at least 1.5 to 2 hours. Such time flexibility inevitably affects the president's official schedule afterward. In fact, the luncheon meeting with representatives from smaller opposition parties scheduled for the afternoon does not have a confirmed time, and it is highly likely to be adjusted based on how long the press conference lasts. In this regard, the press conference serves as a venue to implement the president's long-emphasized philosophy of 'direct communication' into actual governance. The scene where journalists freely ask questions and the president responds candidly on the spot, followed by follow-up questions, can play a critical role in restoring political trust.

Main Point 2: Key Agenda and Messages Expected at the Press Conference

This press conference is expected to address a variety of sensitive issues. The primary focus is likely to be on real estate policy. Recently, the Financial Services Commission's announcement of stringent lending regulations was made without coordination with the presidential office, leading to controversy. This announcement, coming right after the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, has caused confusion among the public, with some critics suggesting that former President Yoon Suk-yeol's associates remain at the center of policy decision-making. Attention is on what position President Lee Jae-myung will reveal. It is important whether he will go beyond simple clarifications to present practical alternatives regarding future housing policy directions, supply expansion, and tax reforms. Citizens will be looking to see if the Lee Jae-myung administration has the willingness and capability to fundamentally solve real estate issues during this conference. Another significant agenda is judicial reform. This is a matter of high public interest and political sensitivity. Given that President Lee Jae-myung is a legal expert, there is considerable anticipation for hearing his realistic concerns and philosophical views on the criminal justice system simultaneously. It is essential to make statements that find a balance between legal reasoning and public demand, rather than just calling for reform. Foreign affairs and security issues cannot be overlooked either. The fact that President-elect Lee spoke with former U.S. President Trump just three days after his election highlights the sensitivity of diplomatic lines. Particularly, matters such as trilateral diplomacy between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, the likelihood of a conversation with President Xi Jinping, and attendance at China's National Day celebrations in September are directly linked to South Korea's diplomatic balancing strategy. Reporters will seek to clearly understand the president's diplomatic perspective and strategies on these issues. Personnel matters could also be a key topic of the conference. Questions about some cabinet ministers who have yet to be appointed, reasons for delays in appointments, and explanations regarding individuals under consideration are likely to arise. Especially amid evaluations that the initial cabinet is composed of stable, bureaucrat-centered figures, there is interest in whether the remaining appointments will maintain this trend.

Main Point 3: The Symbolism of the Lunch Meeting with Opposition Party Leaders

The scheduled lunch meeting with the representatives of five opposition parties following the press conference is seen as another experiment in 'politics of communication.' The meeting with minority parties in the National Assembly, including the Justice Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, the Reform New Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party, holds significance beyond mere formality. It is interpreted as a symbolic step towards fostering collaboration with diverse political forces, going beyond the dominant two-party politics. This lunch meeting is expected to take place in the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall in an informal, non-agenda-based, free discussion format. This is interpreted as the President's intention to reflect minority opinions in governance by listening and engaging in direct conversation. However, it is noteworthy that the schedule could be adjusted depending on the length of the press conference, highlighting a significant characteristic of temporal flexibility. It is unusual for the President to meet with journalists, citizens, and opposition leaders in succession within a single day. This indicates a consistent philosophy on the part of President Lee Jae-myung to reshape the overall governance towards a communication-centered approach, rather than being a one-time occurrence.

Conclusion: What political effects will the 'philosophy of communication' bring?

The first press conference of President Lee Jae-myung and his subsequent political schedule is not simply a change in communication style, but rather the outcome of his political philosophy put into practice. The break from convention in form, the authenticity of the message, and the immediate response to questions all express a long-prepared communication philosophy, serving as a touchstone for how that philosophy will be applied to governance over the next four years and eleven months. Communication cannot happen through words alone. The president’s language, expressions, attitude, and even the speed and depth of response to questions all send signals to the public. This press conference and the meetings with opposition party leaders can serve as a platform for President Lee Jae-myung to demonstrate his intent to restore political trust and to center governance around the relationship with the public. However, for this philosophy to shine even brighter, it must not remain merely a formality. President Lee Jae-myung’s heartfelt communication will only achieve its authenticity when it leads to substantial changes in policies and administration. The public not only seeks authenticity in the president’s words but also earnestly hopes that those words will result in changes in their lives. Ultimately, politics must be built on trust and empathetic relationships. At the core of this must always be genuine communication aimed at the people. I believe that President Lee Jae-myung's philosophy of communication faithfully reflects the essence of such politics. Now that we have taken this first step together, we look on with expectation and hope at the fruits that will blossom at the end of that path.