South Korea's Lee Mentions 'Shortcomings' 13 Times in Friday Press Conference, Dong-A Ilbo Counts

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung used the word "shortcomings" 13 times during a press conference held Friday, September 18, according to a count by 동아일보. The Dong-A Ilbo report examined the president's remarks alongside his past press appearances.

Coverage of the same event from other outlets described a shift in style. KBS 뉴스 reported that jokes were fewer and that the president's tone was calmer and more serious, while noting divided reactions — some observers said the session confirmed the president's resolve, and others said it offered excuses without reflection.

The Blue House published the full opening statement from the September 18 press conference on its website. 시사저널 reported that a message board associated with commentator Kim Eo-jun grew more agitated during the session, with users criticizing the president's answers as evasive and, in one quoted reaction, urging him to cut ties with someone he follows.

Political criticism also followed. 문화일보 reported that lawmaker Na Kyung-won said the president is "collapsing through arrogance" and accused him of looking for escape routes on matters including the cancellation of an indictment and a possible term extension.

lee jae-myung

The Dong-A Ilbo's focus on the repeated use of "shortcomings" frames the press conference as a moment when the president acknowledged gaps in his administration's performance, though the outlet's headline does not specify which areas he was referring to.

What to watch next: whether the president's office responds to the criticism from opposition figures and online commentators, and whether further press appearances follow the same tone.