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Cheong Wa Dae released footage Wednesday showing President Lee Jae Myung filming a new YouTube program titled "The President's Y." /Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

"I read insults and criticism in social media comments, but I don't get hurt easily by them. If anything, I'm grateful to people who tell me exactly what they think."

President Lee Jae Myung spoke candidly about his use of social media to communicate with the public during the first episode of the YouTube program "The President's Y," which aired Thursday.

"Many people these days are suggesting that you should cut back on your social media use," said host and former news anchor Sohn Jung-eun.

"There's been a lot of controversy lately, but asking 'Why does the president use social media?' sounds to me like asking 'Why does the president go out and meet people in person?'" Lee responded.

"I believe there are real people behind social media accounts," Lee said. "People may speak more freely because they're anonymous, but they're still people, and they're citizens of South Korea. I also get a great many ideas from them."

Lee particularly emphasized that social media provides him with a valuable source of ideas.

"We receive a lot of reports. An enormous number, actually. Situation reports, status reports, policy reports — all kinds of reports," he said. "They give me a general understanding of what's going on, but there's also a lot they leave out."

"I get plenty of ideas from social media, discover important developments and sometimes learn about situations much faster than I would through official reports," Lee explained.

"The more power you have, the more people around you tend to tell you only what you want to hear," he said. "That's why I'm grateful to people who tell me things as they really are."

Regarding the criticism directed at him on social media, Lee said, "I've developed a pretty thick skin. There's no need to worry."

"We need to make greater use of social media. In fact, I intend to expand its use," he added.

Lee also plans to expand efforts to communicate with the public, including livestreaming cabinet meetings.

"I think people may understand this when I explain it," Lee said. "I've faced countless attacks throughout my life. There have been many times when the media, political circles and those in power were all attacking me. If I hadn't been able to communicate directly with the public at those times, I probably wouldn't be where I am today."

"The media also plays a role in delivering information. It's an important role, and absolutely necessary," he continued. "But that alone isn't enough. For me, communicating directly with the public is something of a lifeline."

Asked whether he was sleeping well at night, Lee replied, "I sleep well, so don't worry. I think people are concerned that I might lose my composure, but that's not the case at all."

Lee cited South Korea's growing trade surplus as the most satisfying and rewarding development during his presidency, while identifying deaths caused by industrial accidents and other incidents as the most distressing.

"South Korea's trade surplus has increased, resolving our foreign exchange problems, and it's now large enough to stand out globally," Lee said. "In fact, the economy as a whole is gaining momentum."

However, he acknowledged that not everyone was feeling the benefits of the recovery.

"Of course, there are many people who hear that and think, 'What about me?'" he said. "I hope they'll give us a little more time."

"What saddens me most is when people lose their lives," Lee added. "That's what so many of the reports are about. How many people died in industrial accidents today, where a major accident occurred and what happened to those involved — there are so many of these reports. Reading them is what pains me the most."

                                                                                                             Hong Sun-mi