National Unity Committee Chairman Lee Seok-yeon [Busan=Yonhap News]

Lee Seok-yeon, the chairman of the presidential National Unity Committee who has been offering "candid advice" to the government for the year since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, is ultimately stepping down.

While officially this is due to the expiration of his term, political observers suggest the fundamental reason is his failure to bridge the gap with the Lee Jae-myung administration’s governing philosophy, which led to his non-reappointment.

Chairman Lee announced his resignation on Facebook on the 3rd, stating, "I will step down from my position as Chairman of the National Unity Committee effective September 9."

Chairman Lee wrote, "Although it was a short period over the past year, I did my best to achieve national unity based on the principles of having the people acknowledge their differences and upholding constitutional values," adding, "I believed that was the path forward for the Republic of Korea and the path to the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

Notably, he did not shy away from sharp criticism, stating, "However, I realized that this government's thoughts and philosophy regarding national unity differ significantly from mine. My return to public office was to be loyal to the Constitution, not to the administration."

He continued, "Under these circumstances, I now intend to step down in accordance with the President’s wishes."

He also offered a piece of advice with a cautionary tone: "If there is one thing I hope for from the President, it is that he might reflect, if even a fraction, the direct advice I gave—sometimes even at the risk of being impolite—in the process of state operations."

Furthermore, he added, "I am grateful to the citizens who have shown me expectations and interest, and I cannot help but feel apologetic for stepping down without having been able to fully realize my intentions."

Chairman Lee was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the Lee Jae-myung administration's National Unity Committee on September 9 of last year.

Often described by the media as having a political career that spans both the left and right, he has been noted for his outspoken "independent opinions" regarding the government and the ruling party since taking office.

He voiced opposition to the "law distortion crime" bill, the second comprehensive special prosecutor act, and the abolition of supplementary investigation powers pushed by the Democratic Party. He also took the lead in pointing out that President Lee’s nomination of former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon as a ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Planning and Budget was a "flawed appointment."

Recently, he suggested that for Lee Jae-myung to become a "president of the people," he must leave the Democratic Party, which led to a counterattack from the Democratic Party, which labeled his remarks as "logic based on ignorance or misunderstanding of the Constitution."