Politics · South Korea · 16 hrs ago
South Korea’s president warns against worshipping political leaders
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged people to support, not worship, politicians in a post on X. He said leaders can be praised or criticised, but should not receive religious devotion.
Lee argued that democracy depends on citizens’ active participation and their willingness to respond to truth and justice.
He recalled former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, who called for civic action and the organised strength of alert citizens.
The warning follows Lee’s earlier criticism of people who assume their political side is always right and opponents are always wrong.
He said blind loyalty, extremism and factionalism should be resisted.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said political support should not become religious praise or worship.
He said citizens should praise and support political leaders while continuing to criticize them.
Lee said democracy depends on citizens’ ongoing participation and action.
He cited former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun in urging civic engagement.
The reports give different dates for his post: Yonhap says November 7, while Chosun Ilbo says November 8.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
- What
- He said praise and support for politicians should not become religious praise or worship.
- When
- The reports differ: Yonhap says November 7, 2026; Chosun Ilbo says November 8, 2026.
- Where
- In a post on X.
- Why
- He said democracy is made and protected through citizens’ continued participation and action.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lee warned against blind faith, extremism and factionalism, according to Yonhap.
Lee posted on X that political leaders may be praised and criticized, but should not be religiously praised or worshipped; the reports give different dates.
- Speaker
- Lee Jae Myung
- Platform
- X
- Yonhap report date
- November 7, 2026
- Chosun Ilbo report date
- November 8, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Praise, but do not glorify; support, but do not worship.
Democracy does not come by itself, nor is it protected by itself.