Lee Cheol-hee, Blue House Senior Secretary: "President Moon said, 'We must accept party leadership'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] It has been reported that President Moon Jae-in said, regarding the government’s discord with the ruling Democratic Party’s new leadership over easing the comprehensive real estate tax (종합부동산세, Jongbuse), "We must accept the party’s leadership."

Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, appeared on JTBC YouTube’s 'Shin Yeri’s All-Nighter Talk' on the afternoon of the 6th and said, "You (President Moon) have also run in elections, so why wouldn’t you understand the party’s movements? You know them well," expressing this view.

When asked by the host whether the president recently said that party leadership is a 'natural thing,' Lee replied, "Yes," adding, "He also said, 'Don’t fight just to uphold your pride unnecessarily.'"

President Moon’s stance on the party-led decision to ease the comprehensive real estate tax is also reported to be that "as long as it does not shake principles, it should be accepted."

Lee said, "The government did not accept raising the 기준 (standard) for the comprehensive real estate tax. (There was) some difference in thinking with the party," but added, "When more than 170 lawmakers collectively decide on something, if it does not seriously undermine the big picture, it should be accepted. We have no choice but to follow the party’s leadership."

Regarding the recent consecutive resignations of Blue House aides and the ensuing responsibility debate over Kim Eui-sook, Senior Secretary for Personnel Affairs, Lee said, "I do not agree with the argument to hold a specific person responsible," and added, "(The president) seems to believe it is not a responsibility borne by one person alone."

Lee revealed that he entered the Blue House in April after a 'three visits' effort. He said, "Since I was someone who worked hard for the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration, shouldn’t I help in difficult times?" and added, "There were two proposals last year, and I felt a burden of mind for not being able to accept those proposals."

Lee emphasized that President Moon is an 'open president.' He said, "He is a very open person," and added, "Even when aides talk about various things while he is speaking, he listens without interrupting."

He said, "If there is opposition to his position, he listens to the opposition and sometimes changes his mind on the spot," adding, "As a political science PhD, I have never known a president like that."

He also emphasized that President Moon is a leader without power or close aide corruption. Lee said, "The management around him is good, and there is no corruption scandal in the government or the president, and the approval rating in the fifth year is about 40%," adding, "To win the next presidential election, no one can become president by opposing a president with a 40% approval rating."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.