Yoon's Message "I and the Cabinet Will Reflect"... Will the Government's Operating Policy Change?

Yoon's First Public Statement After By-Election Defeat
"Shock of Defeat... Expecting Change in Government Operation Style"

Following the ruling party's crushing defeat in the by-election for the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor, voices demanding a change in the national policy direction have erupted, prompting President Yoon Suk-yeol to deliver a message emphasizing strengthened communication. This time, he stressed national unity and stated, "I will reflect and repent."

On the 17th, President Yoon held a dinner at the Blue House State Guest House with about 90 people, including private members of the National Unity Committee (during the transition committee period, 1st and 2nd terms), government members, the four key executives of the People Power Party, affiliated standing committee chairs and secretaries of the National Assembly, as well as the Chief of Staff and senior secretaries of the Presidential Office.

That day, President Yoon urged the ministers present to carefully read the National Unity Committee’s recommendations, saying, "I am confident that the activities and policy proposals of our National Unity Committee have given me many insights," and emphasized, "I and the Cabinet will reflect and repent on how much these have been translated into policy execution."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is saluting the national flag at the National Integration Committee dinner held at the Blue House State Guest House on the afternoon of the 17th. Photo by the Presidential Office, Yonhap News.

Earlier, two days after the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor by-election on the 11th, President Yoon called for change within the party, and on the 16th, he ordered his aides to "strengthen communication with the people, on-site communication, and party-government communication," signaling a message that he intends to change his communication style.

This message from President Yoon is closely related to the issue of unilateral national governance, which has been cited as a cause of the ruling party’s defeat in the Gangseo District Mayor by-election.

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok acknowledged the errors of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration over the past 17 months and urged a change in the national governance approach. Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also set the end of this year as a "deadline," warning that if there is no change in the party leadership, he may leave the party and simultaneously launch a new party.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the National Integration Committee dinner held at the Blue House State Guest House on the afternoon of the 17th. Photo by the Presidential Office, Yonhap News Agency

Given the significant shock caused by the election defeat, there is speculation that President Yoon’s style of governance may change. Yoon Hee-seok, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on the 18th on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,' "This is the first mid-term evaluation type election since the inauguration, isn’t it? It’s the first time we have lost since President Yoon took office," "The fact that the President is accepting this situation is very serious."

Yoon added, "Looking at the diplomatic line President Yoon is currently taking, the corporate policies, and policy priorities, I believe there are many areas that can receive full support from the public," but also said, "As many have pointed out, the process of conveying these to the public ? in simpler terms, the style ? is different from that of presidents with a political background, so it is clear that the public is somewhat bewildered."

He continued, "Since the President is a legal professional, the perspective of a legal professional on the world can differ from that of a politician, and since he has been in office for just over a year, there are probably differences in that regard," adding, "I believe the President must have definitely felt this after the election defeat, and I expect that he will naturally change his governance style."

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