[Edaily Hwang Byeong Seo Reporter Kim Sang-yoon] While the pace of reform can be accelerated by a parliamentary majority, its longevity depends on the breadth of consensus. This is the political challenge facing the Lee Jae-myung administration as it marks its 500th day in office. While the administration has pushed through policies thanks to the president’s executive authority and the ruling party’s parliamentary majority, there are many who argue that over the next 500 days, it must secure the support of moderate voters and the cooperation of the opposition to consolidate its achievements. The assessment is that the record of unity depends not so much on what was accomplished, but on how power was exercised and to what extent differing opinions were reflected.

On the 15th, Kim Hyung-jun, former president of the Korean Election Studies Association (Distinguished Professor at Baejae University), stated in an interview with E-Daily that there is a gap between the Lee Jae-myung administration’s stance on unity and inclusivity and its actual exercise of power. He argued that an election victory and a parliamentary majority do not guarantee the legitimacy of all policy decisions.

Professor Kim criticized, “The words and actions do not align with the pledge to be a president for all the people.” He argued that if the administration claims to be a government based on popular sovereignty, it must protect the fundamental rights and constitutional values of the people, and the elected government must also respect the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

He emphasized respect for the opposition and restraint in the exercise of authority. His point was that trust in the promise of unity can only be built by recognizing the opposition as a partner in consultation and exercising self-restraint in the use of power, even when that power is available.

He also believed that the broad direction of state governance must be clearly defined. Professor Kim pointed out, “If one becomes president, there must be a broad vision for how to lead the country,” noting that merely offering opinions on each individual issue makes it difficult to demonstrate the goals of state governance.

He presented policy revisions not as a blow to authority but as a prerequisite for democratic leadership. “Democracy is based on the premise that one can be wrong,” he said, urging a willingness to listen to criticism and correct flawed policies. He also emphasized that reform cannot derive legitimacy from its name alone; it must be grounded in the validity of its goals, public consensus, and lawful procedures.

Yoon Jong-bin, President of the Korean Political Science Association (Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Myongji University), suggested that the more one rushes for results, the more one must simultaneously consider direction and unity. Professor Yoon stated, “For South Korea to succeed, the President must succeed, but the current situation is close to being besieged on all sides,” adding, “The questions the President must now grapple with are ‘speed or direction’ and ‘speed or unity.’”

Professor Yoon emphasized the need to expand the president’s base beyond his core supporters to include moderates and to strengthen communication with the opposition. Regarding personnel appointments, he suggested broadening channels of communication by involving individuals who offer differing perspectives rather than appointing only “loyalists,” and by appointing advisors with political common ground with the opposition to the presidential staff. He argued that this should go beyond merely meeting with opposition figures to actually incorporating diverse opinions into policy.