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President Lee Jae-myung meets Harvard professor Michael Sandel, author of Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on September 18. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young is seen at center. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung met Harvard professor Michael Sandel, author of the best-selling Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, on Thursday to exchange views on philosophy, democracy, and society.

At the meeting held at the presidential office in Yongsan, Lee expressed strong agreement with Sandel’s idea of a “peace dividend.” “It would be good if more people came to see that peace is not a cost or loss, but a tangible benefit,” Lee said.

Sandel suggested broadening the concept, saying, “If we can speak more concretely about the peace dividend, we can also consider economic and democratic dividends. Should peace be established on the Korean Peninsula, not only South Korea but neighboring countries could mitigate polarization, which would in turn strengthen democracy.”

Lee responded that values like democracy, justice, and peace are often dismissed as abstract ideals. “But in fact, they bring very real benefits,” he said. “When someone as influential as you explains that peace and justice can be practical gains, it can have a profound impact.”

Lee added, “Just as the United States has benefited from a peace dividend, I hope South Korea can build a peace regime so all our citizens may enjoy the same. Despite the difficulties, Korea has become a model for building a truly democratic society and a community of solidarity through what I call the ‘revolution of light.’ In the future, when people think of democracy, perhaps they will not only think of Athens, but also of Seoul.”

According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, Sandel emphasized that peace on the Korean Peninsula would foster democracy and reduce inequality, saying, “Addressing the polarization between workers and elites requires recognizing the dignity of labor.”

Lee replied, “People should be respected for who they are, not for how much knowledge or money they have. Even those with power and wealth lose meaning if they cannot appreciate the beauty of the autumn sky or respect others as human beings.”

Sandel presented Lee with two books inscribed with personal messages. The meeting followed an earlier virtual conversation the two held about four years ago when Lee was a presidential candidate. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and National Security Office chief Wi Sung-lac also attended.