Why did Lee address foreign media year after martial law crisis?

President Lee Jae Myung speaks to foreign media at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps

Marking the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s abrupt declaration of martial law and the ensuing national crisis, President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday invited more than 80 foreign correspondents to a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul.

The press briefing, which began at 10 a.m. and lasted about 70 minutes, was open exclusively to reporters with foreign media outlets. Korean media had a separate opportunity earlier in the morning for a 30-minute Q&A session, following Lee’s special national address at 9 a.m. at the presidential office in Seoul.

Although Lee previously held two formal press conferences for both domestic and international media, Wednesday's session marked the first time his administration hosted an event exclusively for foreign correspondents. A presidential official told The Korea Times that the decision was intended to communicate directly with the international community about what the administration calls the restoration of "K-democracy" following last year’s martial law crisis.

“The president wanted to send a message to the world about Korea’s democratic recovery,” the official said. “The fact that martial law was declared but then peacefully overturned by the people attracted significant global attention, and this press event was designed with that in mind.”

President Lee Jae Myung takes questions from foreign correspondents at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps

Lee himself underscored this point in his concluding remarks, highlighting the historical role foreign media have played in Korea’s democratic struggles.

Recalling the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, Lee said that, misled by state-controlled media at the time, he had once believed the military regime's claims against "rioters" and initially supported the violent suppression.

He noted that the prevailing belief that the United States had tacitly allowed the military's actions in Gwangju fueled severe anti-U.S. sentiment and prompted attacks on American installations in Korea, including the U.S. embassy. The president said these historical anxieties resurfaced during last year’s martial law crisis.

“In 1980, all domestic media were censored. It was the photographs taken by foreign correspondents that revealed the truth of Gwangju to the world,” Lee said. “That is one reason why, on the night martial law was declared last year, I livestreamed on YouTube as the opposition leader to prevent an information blackout.”

President Lee Jae Myung speaks to foreign correspondents at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps

Lee emphasized the essential role of the press and revealed that the government maintained close communication with the U.S. Embassy and officials in Washington throughout the crisis to avoid misunderstandings that might jeopardize the bilateral alliance.

“Because of past experiences, we were deeply concerned that any misstep could be interpreted as U.S. support for, or tolerance of, military insurrectionists,” he said. “We reached out extensively to U.S. diplomatic counterparts, and fortunately many issues were resolved," Lee said.

The president added that swift, objective statements from U.S. authorities — as well as vigorous reporting by both domestic and foreign media — empowered Korean citizens to act decisively in defending their democracy.

Lee concluded the briefing by once again underscoring the role of the foreign press.

“Please help the world understand the living example of Korea’s democracy: its direct participation, its resilience and what we call K-democracy,” he said.