Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
South Korea’s president defends his “pig’s eyes” expression
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung defended his “pig’s eyes” remark after it drew criticism.
He had used the phrase while responding to opposition criticism that he travels abroad too often.
Lee said the expression means that people see according to their own understanding.
He argued that writing it in Korean rather than Chinese did not make it less thoughtful or dignified.
The opposition People Power Party said the remark was insulting and unbecoming of a president.
The dispute has become a debate over presidential language and public respect.
The sources do not say what happens next.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung defended his phrase “only pigs are seen through pig’s eyes” after the opposition People Power Party criticised it as inappropriate.
Lee said the expression carries the same meaning in Korean as in a traditional Chinese saying and argued that its dignity comes from the insight it conveys.
He posted the Chinese characters for the saying on X on November 2, describing it as part of a profound exchange between monk Muhak and King Taejo Yi Seong-gye.
The People Power Party said Lee’s words demeaned legitimate criticism and questioned whether they showed the dignity expected of a president.
Lee had used the phrase while responding to opposition criticism that he travelled abroad too often.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and the opposition People Power Party.
- What
- Lee defended his “pig’s eyes” expression after the party criticised it as inappropriate.
- When
- Lee posted his defence on November 2, 2026; the party’s spokesperson issued a statement on October 31.
- Where
- Lee made his defence in a post on X. The statement was issued by the People Power Party.
- Why
- Lee said the Korean wording had the same meaning as a traditional saying and that the phrase’s value came from its insight. The party said it demeaned legitimate criticism.
Lee Jae-myung
People Power Party
Meaning of the phrase
Lee Jae-myung
Lee said the Korean expression means the same as the traditional Chinese saying and conveys profound insight.
People Power Party
The party said Lee used an insulting comparison against people raising legitimate concerns.
Presidential conduct
Lee Jae-myung
Lee argued that a saying’s dignity comes from the insight it contains, not the characters used to write it.
People Power Party
The party said a president’s words should reflect the weight of government and the dignity of the country.
Lee spoke at a cabinet meeting at the Blue House.
People Power Party spokesperson Cho Yong-sul criticised Lee’s remarks in a statement.
Lee posted the Chinese saying on X and defended his Korean wording.
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Opposition party
- People Power Party
- Defence posted
- X, November 2, 2026
- Party statement
- October 31, 2026
- Traditional saying
- 豚眼只有豚 佛眼只有佛” (pig’s eyes see only pigs; Buddha’s eyes see only Buddha)
What people are saying
The dignity of words comes from the depth of insight they contain, not the characters that make up the vessel.
Even though the words are exactly the same, there is a strange distinction that believes authority only comes when they are surrounded by Chinese characters.
If the people look like pigs to you, isn’t that the eye of a pig?