Politics · South Korea · 20 hrs ago
South Korea’s president defends blocking abusive social media accounts
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he blocks social media accounts that use insults, abuse or mockery.
He argued that removing such accounts can help people discuss issues, and said he does not block users simply for disagreeing or criticizing him.
Lee recalled advice he gave the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who had worried that blocking accounts would undermine communication.
Lee also defended using “좌아하게,” a playful twist on the Korean word for “gracefully,” after critics said it suggested he favored one political side.
He said the expression had been used by the reform-minded political camp since former President Moon Jae-in’s time.
In a separate post, Lee criticized people he said enjoy privilege while cutting welfare budgets for poorer residents, without naming anyone.
Some interpreted the remarks as aimed at Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, but Lee did not specify who he meant.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung defended blocking social media accounts that post abusive comments, saying they disrupt public discussion.
He said he does not block people simply for expressing opposing views or criticism.
Lee recalled advising former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon that blocking abusive accounts could help enable genuine communication.
He also defended using the playful term “좌아하게,” saying it had been used by the democratic reform camp since former President Moon Jae-in’s time.
In a separate post, Lee criticised people he said enjoy privileges while supporting cuts to welfare budgets for ordinary people.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung defended his decision to block abusive social media accounts.
- What
- He said accounts that use insults and mockery disrupt public discussion and may be blocked.
- When
- October 11, 2026.
- Where
- On X, formerly Twitter.
- Why
- Lee said blocking abusive accounts helps maintain healthy public discussion and does not mean blocking people for disagreement or criticism.
Critics of Lee’s blocking and language
Lee Jae-myung
Account blocking
Critics of Lee’s blocking and language
Critics have objected to Lee blocking some users who posted critical comments.
Lee Jae-myung
Lee said he blocks abusive accounts because they obstruct communication, but not people simply for disagreeing or criticising him.
Use of “좌아하게
Critics of Lee’s blocking and language
Critics from the conservative opposition said the term showed a one-sided political outlook.
Lee Jae-myung
Lee said it was a playful variation of “우아하게” used by the democratic reform camp since Moon Jae-in’s presidency.
Accounts that stir up the public sphere by throwing filth should be blocked to maintain a healthy public sphere.
I do not block people simply because they express opposing views or criticise me.
Abuse, insults and mockery in a forum for communication are not communication but an obstruction of communication.
The term “좌아하게” was not a word used by Ilbe, but one used by the democratic reform camp since President Moon Jae-in’s time.
Lee said he had advised former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon to block accounts posting abusive comments.
Lee defended blocking abusive accounts in posts on X.
Lee also defended his use of “좌아하게” and criticised people he said supported cuts to welfare budgets for ordinary people.
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Platform
- X, formerly Twitter
- Former mayor recalled
- Park Won-soon, former Seoul mayor
- Term defended
- 좌아하게,” which Lee described as a playful variation of “우아하게
- Article date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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