Moon has inspirational talks with Twitter CEO

President Moon Jae-in, right, shakes hands with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on his visit to Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

President Moon Jae-in received advice from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday, on how to make the most of social media for communication, according to the presidential office.

Discussions with Dorsey were inspirational for Moon who has a lot of interest in direct communication with the people, it said.

Moon has 1.76 million Twitter followers. Cheong Wa Dae runs two official Twitter accounts _ @moonriver365 and @TheBlueHouseKR.

Dorsey requested a meeting with Moon after wrapping up a visit to the firm's Singapore office, and Moon gladly accepted. It was the first time for Moon to invite the head of a global company to Cheong Wa Dae for a one-one-one meeting.

“Moon had discussions with Dorsey on changes the social media has brought to society, and the future of digital communication,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said. “In particular, Moon shared his interest in the role social media plays in promoting the rights of the underprivileged.”

Before meeting Moon, Dorsey tweeted, “Excited to learn more about how he (President Moon) uses Twitter to communicate with the people of Korea.”

Moon replied; “Welcome to Korea, Jack! Thank you for creating a communication platform where everyone can voice their opinions freely. Hope to have a fruitful conversation with you.”

The presidential digital communication team, led by secretary Jung Hye-seong, has recently redesigned Cheong Wa Dae's social media channels, officials said.

“We regard social media as the right means to connect directly to citizens and offer chances for them to know what's happening inside and outside the presidential office, as well as share the President's thoughts on specific issues,” the official said.

Moon is not an active Twitter user like U.S. President Donald Trump. However, he knows of its importance in promoting transparency and openness in implementing policies, the official said.