President Lee Jae-myung urged his supporters to stop using derogatory labels and abusive language, calling on them to adopt a dignified posture as partners in governing. But writer Rhyu Si-min, a figure in the broader pro-government camp, kept up his criticism, saying the president "does not seem to be diagnosing the situation as it is." He likened supporters who use such labels to "a stone inside the president's shoe."
On the night of the 19th, Lee had quoted a post on X, formerly Twitter, written by a supporter who had previously disparaged opposition figures and people within his own camp. After the repost drew criticism, he deleted it, saying it "does not help unity."
The post Lee shared was written by a supporter immediately after his televised news conference at the Blue House on the 18th, listing his reform achievements and offering words of encouragement. Lee added a comment: "Thank you. It is a great comfort."
But controversy erupted within the pro-government base after it emerged that the author had previously used a derogatory acronym targeting former President Moon Jae-in, Cho Kuk, Kim Eo-jun, Jung Chung-rae and Rhyu Si-min. Lee then deleted the quoted post.
"Even so, I express regret if there are people hurt by other posts written by the author of the quoted message, and I would like to say a few words," Lee said. "Friends of the president, we are comrades who rely on one another and act together to achieve each of our dreams," he added. "Please think and act as though you yourselves are Lee Jae-myung, as though you are the president."
Responding on the 20th on the YouTube program "Tak Hyun-min's The Beautiful," Rhyu said of Lee's remarks: "When something like a stone gets into the sole of your foot, it is extremely uncomfortable. You then have to take it out and move on, but the president does not think a stone has gotten in — it is more a state of just feeling uncomfortable." He said the issue had "politically isolated the president," arguing that a clearer stance toward hardline pro-Lee supporters was needed.
Meanwhile, Cho Kuk, head of the Rebuilding Korea Party's innovation policy institute, said, "I expect the president will be careful about retweeting on X going forward." He added: "Those who sang hymns of praise to Lee, turned comrades into enemies in a politics that destroyed their own camp and fostered an ecosystem of hatred and loathing should heed the president's words."
