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President Lee Jae-myung answers questions from the press during a conference marking his first month in office at the State Guest House in Seoul on July 3. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung held his first press conference since taking office on July 3, laying out his administration’s core vision of "realizing popular sovereignty" while pledging to prioritize easing economic hardships and reinvigorating growth. Speaking candidly for 120 minutes at the Blue House State Guest House, Lee outlined plans for aggressive investment in AI, renewable energy, and cultural industries, and hinted at tougher real estate regulations.

During the event titled “30 Days of the President: Questions from the Press, Answers for the People,” Lee engaged with over 150 domestic and international reporters in an informal, non-authoritarian tone that broke from conventional political discourse. The decision to hold the event at the Blue House, not the presidential office in Yongsan, added to its symbolic significance.

Focusing more on economic and livelihood issues than political disputes, Lee declared, “My top priority is relieving people’s pain and building a nation that can grow and leap forward again.” He pledged robust investment in future industries including AI, semiconductors, green energy infrastructure, and cultural content.

To revitalize capital markets, Lee announced, “We’ll do everything we can to shift idle capital into productive areas and restore a virtuous cycle in the economy.” He emphasized that a “KOSPI 5000 era” would be achieved through capital market reform enabling technology-driven growth.

Real estate policy was one of the most talked-about topics. “The current lending restrictions are just a teaser,” Lee warned, adding, “We still have a long list of demand-suppression measures.” His remarks hinted at follow-up policies beyond the new rule banning mortgage loans exceeding 600 million won that took effect on June 28.

Regarding the ongoing Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, Lee admitted, “It’s unclear whether we can wrap it up by the July 8 deadline. It’s definitely not easy.” Still, he stressed the importance of achieving a “mutually beneficial” outcome.

On South Korea–Japan relations, Lee said, “The two countries share many strategic and military interests, but we still suffer from unresolved historical issues. Even during war, diplomacy must continue. We should be flexible and rational—fighting with the right hand, but holding each other with the left.”

Discussing inter-Korean dynamics, he revealed concerns over halting propaganda broadcasts toward North Korea. “We were a bit worried—what if they don’t respond? But they reacted so quickly, it exceeded our expectations.”

Lee also addressed domestic debates over prosecutorial reform. “There’s no disagreement about separating investigative and prosecutorial powers,” he said. Reflecting on past controversies, Lee noted, “Back in the Moon Jae-in era, many opposed taking away the prosecution’s investigative powers. But that sentiment has faded. Now the need for reform is greater—this is, in a way, the result of their own doing.”