President Lee Jae-myung said on the 13th, "We must prove the fact that democracy feeds us," adding, "Only then can we prevent anti-democratic forces disguised as growth from exploiting the gaps of inequality and poverty to destroy democracy."
On this day, President Lee attended the World Political Science Association Seoul General Assembly held in Gangnam District, Seoul, where he stated in his opening speech, "As we witnessed in the 'loyal military coup' that destroyed the people's economy, democracy and the economy are inextricably linked."
President Lee criticized the 12.3 martial law situation as "an anti-democratic outrage stemming from a desire for permanent power by eliminating the opponent while excluding dialogue and compromise." He added that we must confront "inequality and polarization that deepen conflict and division, and political extremism that separates the people," and noted that "the core of K-democracy is to thoroughly restore freedom, equality, and solidarity."
He further stated, "The freedom I speak of is not merely the freedom from interference or restriction," and emphasized, "In an era of crisis where the tide of inequality, polarization, and poverty obstructs growth, freedom is the economy."
He continued, "What kind of freedom is there in a society where one must endure the scorching sun at a workplace without rest areas, where where one lives determines life and death?" He elaborated, "Freedom is a warm meal that fills hunger and a social safety net that rescues me from the swamp of debt." This suggests that the realization of democracy or freedom should ultimately lead to protecting the basic lives of the people.
President Lee claimed that the AI (artificial intelligence) revolution will serve as a useful foundation for strengthening direct democracy. He remarked, "If we had not monitored power abuse with the smartphones in our hands, Korea might have been wandering in darkness," and stated, "The AI revolution will be the 'singularity' that opens a new future for K-democracy."
President Lee stated, "Democracy does not come automatically. There is no spring that is enjoyed for free, not even for a day," and added, "If there are those who doubt the power of democracy and the capabilities of the sovereign, I would tell them to look up at Korea, the land of Dongbang."
He also expressed, "Korea is opening a great new path of democracy that will remain in world history. Although I learned that democracy is symbolized by Athens since childhood, I want to let the world know that the new paradigm of democracy will begin in Seoul," emphasizing that the 'government of popular sovereignty' born from the 'revolution of light' is constantly experimenting and innovating direct democracy. He promised to move towards a true 'country where the people are the masters.'