President Lee Jae Myung Launches YouTube Series to Boost Direct Public Communication
The new program 'The President's Y' aims to increase transparency through unfiltered presidential engagement.
1New Digital Communication Strategy
President Lee Jae Myung launched a new YouTube program titled 'The President's Y' on November 5, 2026. The 30-minute debut episode, filmed at Sangchunjae, marks a shift toward direct engagement. The series will air every two to three weeks on the official 'Lee Jae Myung TV' and the state-run 'Lee+Imagine' channels.
2Philosophy Behind the 'Y' Title
The program title 'Y' references the social media platform X, which Lee frequently uses, while also serving as a play on the English word 'why.' Lee intends to use this platform to explain the reasoning behind his policies and decisions, aiming to bridge the gap between the presidency and the public.
3Commitment to Unfiltered Livestreams
Lee expressed a strong preference for live broadcasts over edited content, arguing that editing can obscure the full picture. He is currently considering conducting unannounced, surprise livestreams directly from his office. He believes that showing the presidency without filters is essential for maintaining transparency and building trust with the South Korean public.
4Defending Cabinet Meeting Transparency
Despite internal concerns from some ministers regarding potential administrative burdens or public exposure of errors, Lee continues to livestream cabinet meetings. He maintains that government work belongs to the people, who are the true owners. He views the occasional exposure of mistakes as a manageable risk in exchange for higher public trust.
5Social Media as a Lifeline
Lee defended his active use of social media, describing it as a 'lifeline' that helped him survive political and media attacks throughout his career. He rejects claims that he is trapped in an algorithm, stating he actively reads criticism and negative comments. He noted that he has developed thick skin against such online hostility.
6Addressing Policy and Personal Life
The debut episode featured segments on policy dilemmas, verbal responses to citizen posts, and personal routines. Lee discussed his six-hour sleep cycle and physical stamina. Regarding electronic monitoring for violent offenders, he acknowledged system limitations and confirmed that the government is actively preparing to strengthen monitoring protocols to improve public safety.
7Economic and Political Context
While the program focuses on communication, it impacts policy uncertainty for industries involved in areas like real estate and CPTPP. The administration also reaffirmed that the 350 billion dollar investment in the U.S. will proceed based on commercial rationality and national interest, regardless of specific U.S. election outcomes or political shifts.
8Public and Political Reception
While the program increases accessibility to presidential decision-making, critics argue that Lee should focus more on urgent livelihood issues like stock market declines and real estate. Some observers worry that this new media approach may result in one-way messaging rather than genuine dialogue, despite the president's stated intent to remain fully transparent.