On the 3rd, President Lee's First Press Conference after Inauguration

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

President Lee Jae-myung is expected to share his position on a variety of pressing issues, including the real estate market and people's economy, through his first press conference after inauguration on the 3rd.
It is anticipated that questions and answers regarding measures for stock market normalization and economic recovery will take place at this press conference.
On diplomatic security, there is expected to be discussion on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs, cost-sharing for the U.S. Forces Korea, and approaches to relations with the four major neighboring powers.

'One Month Since Inauguration' Town Hall Meeting Format

Expected to Share Thoughts on Diplomatic Security and Key Domestic Issues

Cleared Schedule a Day Before to Focus on Preparation

*President Lee Jae-myung. Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office*

President Lee Jae-myung will hold his first press conference since taking office on the 3rd. President Lee is scheduled to address a range of pressing issues, including diplomatic security concerns such as the imminent expiration of the United States' reciprocal tariffs and the sharing of defense costs for U.S. forces based in Korea, as well as the domestic real estate market and people's economic livelihood.

According to the Presidential Office on the 2nd, President Lee will hold the press conference at 10 a.m. on the 3rd under the theme '30 Days of the President: The Media Asks, the People Answer.' This marks the 30th day since his inauguration on the 4th of last month. Compared to previous presidents, who traditionally held their first press conference after 100 days in office, this is considered unusually early. This move is seen as a reflection of President Lee's commitment to direct public communication. The press conference will also be conducted in a town hall meeting format to allow the maximum number of reporters to participate.

On the 2nd, the day before the press conference, President Lee had no public events scheduled. Instead, he was reportedly focused on preparing for the press conference together with his aides at the Yongsan Presidential Office. The Q&A session with reporters covering the Presidential Office will be divided into fields such as people's livelihood and the economy, politics and diplomatic security, and society and culture. Questions and answers are expected to focus on President Lee's strategies for economic recovery and the normalization of the domestic stock market. Several questions related to the real estate market are also expected. In the field of diplomatic security, questions may arise regarding not only the outstanding issues between South Korea and the United States but also the setting of relations with the four neighboring major powers—Japan, China, and Russia.

Reporter Han Jae-young jyhan@hankyung.com