Lee pledges deliberation, humility in state administration

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged to govern more thoughtfully and humbly at Cheong Wa Dae. He said he feels heavily responsible that improving economic indicators is not yet translating into better livelihoods. Lee also said the presidential office and the government will work together on tangible improvements while keeping his reform vision. He has not decided whether to accept chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik’s resignation offer.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with his key aides at Cheong Wa Dae.

He said he was reflecting again on the intention of the voters who elected the administration.

Lee said the presidential office and the government will join hands to make tangible improvements in people’s livelihoods.

He has not decided whether to accept Kang Hoon-sik’s resignation offer, and the presidential office said Kang tendered his resignation Sunday as a gesture of taking responsibility.

Published Sep 21, 2026 3:34 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung attends a meeting with his key aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Joint Press Corps

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged to be more thoughtful and humble in governing the country, reaffirming his efforts to improve the quality of people's lives.

"I will think more deeply about what is most needed for the public in this era and fine-tune governance with a humbler attitude," Lee said during a meeting with his key aides at Cheong Wa Dae.

"I am once again reflecting on the intention of the voters who elected the administration," the president said.

The pledge came as Lee's approval ratings declined to their lowest levels in recent weeks amid controversies over ministerial nominations and other issues.

"I feel heavily responsible as the person in charge of state governance for the opinion that improvements in economic indicators are not fully translating into tangible changes in people's livelihoods," he said.

The presidential office and the government will join hands to make tangible improvements in people's livelihoods, the president said, adding that he will also stick to his initial vision of pursuing reforms.

Meanwhile, the president said he has not decided whether to accept his chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik's resignation offer.

The presidential office earlier said Kang tendered his resignation Sunday as a gesture of taking responsibility.

李在明总统周一在青瓦台承诺将以更加审慎谦逊的态度执政。他表示，经济指标的改善尚未转化为民生的进步，他深感责任重大。李在明还表示，总统府和政府将在坚持其改革理念的同时，共同努力取得切实可见的进步。他尚未决定是否接受幕僚长姜勋植的辞呈。

李在青瓦台与主要助手会面时发表了上述言论。

他说，他正在再次思考选民选举本届政府的意图。

李表示，总统府和政府将携手合作，切实改善人民生活。

他尚未决定是否接受姜勋植的辞职提议，总统府表示，姜勋植于周日递交辞呈，以示承担责任。

发布于2026年9月21日下午3:34（韩国标准时间）

周一，李在明总统在青瓦台与主要幕僚举行会议。（联合记者团）

李在明总统周一承诺，在治理国家时将更加深思熟虑、谦逊低调，并重申了他为改善人民生活质量所做的努力。

李在青瓦台与主要助手会面时表示：“我将更深入地思考这个时代民众最需要什么，并以更谦逊的态度来完善治理。”

总统说：“我再次反思选民们选举本届政府的意图。”

在部长提名和其他问题引发争议后，李显龙的支持率跌至近几周来的最低水平，而这一承诺正是在此背景下做出的。

他说：“作为国家治理的负责人，我认为经济指标的改善并没有完全转化为人民生活水平的切实提高，对此我深感责任重大。”

总统表示，总统府和政府将携手合作，切实改善人民生活，并补充说，他也会坚持推进改革的最初愿景。

与此同时，总统表示，他尚未决定是否接受其幕僚长姜勋植的辞职提议。

总统府此前表示，康明凯于周日递交辞呈，以示承担责任。