Transparency or unrefined messages? President's social media use stirs debate

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a meeting of senior presidential aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung, long known for his prolific use of social media, has recently stepped up his online activity, signaling a renewed push to share policy ideas with citizens and engage public debate directly through digital platforms.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, Lee already uploaded three posts on X (formerly Twitter) that day alone. He posted twice Thursday and eight times on Wednesday. The topics of the posts vary — the expansion of subsidized menstrual products, interest rates on local government treasury funds, a possible introduction of a sugar levy, warnings against Cambodian criminal syndicates, the delisting of underperforming firms from the stock exchange and the effectiveness of balanced regional development policies.

The president’s recent posting patterns mark a clear change from his early days in office last June. After assuming the presidency, Lee initially used social media primarily to share updates on diplomatic efforts, including phone calls and meetings with world leaders. He later turned to longer, reflective posts about Cabinet meetings, overseas trips, and town hall-style engagements.

More recently, however, Lee appears increasingly confident in his policy footing, broadening the range of social and policy issues he raises online. It is a shift reminiscent of his early days as mayor of Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province, when he enthusiastically embraced social media as a rising political figure.

A screenshot image of President Lee Jae Myung's X account

At the time, Lee famously used Twitter to receive civil complaints and issue administrative instructions, drawing praise for “communicative administration,” while also facing criticism for what critics labeled “performative governance.” In a 2012 interview with local media, Lee said he believed social media was “extremely useful for open administration and transparency in political processes,” adding that he used it relentlessly, “whether it’s 2 a.m. or 6 a.m., whenever I have time.” Lee joined Twitter in January 2010, had about 16,000 followers in 2012 and now has more than 970,000 followers.

His trust in social media remains firm. At a recent meeting of senior presidential aides, he said, “You always have to look at things from the perspective of the people, who are the end users. If you can’t meet them directly, you should observe them where they gather. And if nothing else, you should at least read the online comments,” reflecting his belief that public sentiment can be gauged through digital platforms.

A presidential official familiar with Lee’s habits described him as a “night owl” who frequently reads social media posts and comments in the early morning hours. In recent remarks, Lee has also described online comments as a form of the public’s “collective intelligence.”

Still, the president's social media-friendly approach has sparked controversy. Critics argue that presidential policy ideas carry significant weight and should not be casually floated online with an “if not, never mind” attitude.

A recent example drawing intense media confusion and attention involved a series of postings about sugar. He first shared a news article that 80 percent of citizens support introducing a sugar tax, adding, “Like tobacco, should we curb sugar use through a levy and reinvest the funds to strengthen regional and public health care? What do you think?”

A screenshot image of President Lee Jae Myung's X (formerly Twitter) account

When media outlets reported this as a move toward introducing a sugar tax, Lee pushed back, saying he was merely asking for public opinion and accused the coverage of distortion, calling it “fake news.”

The episode went on to spark a debate over terminology, specifically whether a “sugar levy” differs from a “sugar tax” and how any resulting funds would be used, prompting presidential spokespersons to step in and explain the distinction. The dispute, however, largely sidelined the broader public health discussion Lee had intended to raise about the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption.

Some argue that Lee’s direct engagement bypasses bureaucratic filters and allows him to hear citizens’ voices more directly. Lee Han-joo, chair of the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, welcomed the approach. “He’s doing well. When the president personally throws out an agenda, it raises tension and focus within the public service.”

Political experts, however, urge caution. Shin Yul, a political analyst and politics professor at Myongji University, said that among major world leaders, only two are particularly conspicuous in their use of social media: U.S. President Donald Trump and Lee.

“Presidents have many ways to deliver messages, including through official communication channels,” Shin said. “Using established organizational routes matters because it reduces mistakes. Messages are refined, unnecessary misunderstandings are minimized and there is a gatekeeping function. That’s why traditional channels exist.”

Shin also warned that social media politics can foster fandom-driven polarization.

“Voters who encounter the president directly on social media may feel a sense of personal closeness, which can evolve into fandom. That may deepen loyalty among supporters, but it can also alienate those with different views and intensify political polarization.”

He added that if Lee truly believes governance should not be driven by a single viewpoint, reducing reliance on social media may better align with that principle.

Lee Jun-han, a politics professor at Incheon National University, acknowledged that the president’s engagement is preferable to leaders who show little interest in policy at all, but cautioned against posting half-formed ideas online.

“If issues requiring legislation or budget allocations are raised impulsively or outside established procedures, confusion can arise,” he said. “When informal channels begin to outweigh official opinion-gathering processes, that’s something to watch closely.”

He emphasized that while social media may have been highly effective during Lee’s time as a local government leader, the presidency carries a different weight.

"Finding the right balance between policy agility and institutional stability will be key to effective governance going forward," he pointed out.