South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he will humbly follow the will of the people and cooperate with newly elected local governments [1].
The statement follows the nationwide local elections held June 3, 2026 [1]. This commitment to cross-party collaboration is critical as the administration seeks to maintain stability and implement national policies through regional authorities that may not share the president's party affiliation.
Speaking at a staff meeting in the Blue House in Seoul June 4, 2026, Lee said he intends to work with the new local leaders regardless of their political party [1]. He said, "I will humbly accept the will of the people and cooperate with the newly elected local governments."
While pledging cooperation, the president also addressed administrative failures during the voting process. Lee said he expressed regret over a shortage of ballot papers reported by the election commission [1].
He described the shortage as a flaw that is not easy to understand and said he expressed regret over the situation [1]. The incident has raised questions about the election commission's readiness and the accuracy of the logistical planning for the June 3 vote [1].
Lee's remarks balance a gesture of national unity with a demand for accountability from the electoral body. By focusing on the "will of the people," the president signaled that the legitimacy of the local governments outweighs the administrative errors of the commission [1].
“I will humbly accept the will of the people and cooperate with the newly elected local governments.”
President Lee's dual approach seeks to stabilize the relationship between the central government and regional powers while distancing the presidency from the operational failures of the election commission. By publicly criticizing the ballot-paper shortage, Lee preempts potential opposition claims of electoral mismanagement while framing himself as a leader committed to democratic mandates over party loyalty.
