President Lee Jae-myung defended a gradual, consensus-based approach to reform and warned that radical agitation within the progressive camp could provoke resistance, counter-reaction and ultimately obstruct change. Lee made the remarks on the 12th while quoting an X post by Park Tae-hoon, head of the Youth Today Institute and a former deputy spokesperson for the Progressive Party. Park argued that Lee’s commitment to reform must be carried through to completion while criticizing internal voices demanding stronger action. Lee said he had not abandoned reform’s goals or values, but argued that reform is more difficult than revolution and must proceed through careful procedures, broad consensus and effective results while minimizing pain and resistance. He also said public authority carries commensurate responsibility, public office must serve everyone and appointments based on personal closeness despite corruption or incompetence would lead to failure. The remarks followed progressive criticism over proposed changes to the new prosecution service’s organizational rules, prosecutorial investigation authority and the appointment of a former prosecutor as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. They were viewed as an effort to reinforce internal unity while approval remained below 40% and criticism mounted over the pace of reform.