President Lee Jae-myung stated on April 12th that "those who undermine national interests for their own gain are called traitors," and on the 14th, he again said, referring to critics, "people who offer advice in the 'Grand Master's Game' just because they know how to play Go-moku," adding, "You shouldn't overturn the board."

Kang Yoo-jung, senior spokesperson for the Presidential Office, defended the president on MBC radio on April 13th, saying, "If the president's level is that of playing Go-moku, then he is always engaged in a Grand Master's game."

The spark of controversy was the president's own expression, but as time went on, the blame was shifted towards the criticizing public, the opposition party, and the media.

The origin of this controversy was not an overreaction from the public. It began with the president's flawed analogy.

Therefore, the president should have first provided an explanation and, if necessary, an expression of regret. However, instead of resolving the issue, the president amplified it.

He conflated voices questioning his judgment with undermining national interests, and eventually resorted to the harsh label of "traitor." Instead of resolving the diplomatic controversy with diplomatic explanations, he proceeded by attacking the motives and level of his critics.

This is not an explanation, but an evasion of responsibility.

Of course, "Go-moku" and "Grand Master's Game" are metaphorical expressions. However, metaphor does not lessen the meaning.

The structure of the metaphor is clear. It is a method of belittling the critics to the level of 'playing Go-moku' while positioning himself as someone who reads the larger game.

While he did not directly say, "I am the Grand Master," it is undeniable that it was language of authority that diminished the public's criticism to mere advice and placed himself above it.

Even if the public's judgment is unsatisfactory, it is never the right attitude for a president to respond with words that seem to look down on the public.

The bigger problem is that the Presidential Office and the Democratic Party of Korea, who should have corrected this language, instead collectively supported it.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at a Supreme Council meeting on April 13th regarding President Lee Jae-myung's remarks, "It is a position that will mark a milestone in South Korean diplomatic history."

Hwang Myung-sun, a Supreme Council member, called it "balanced diplomatic judgment" and accused the People Power Party of distorting the president's remarks and undermining national interests. Kang Deuk-gu, a Supreme Council member, stated that criticizing the president's words as a diplomatic disaster "reveals one's own level."

Lee Sung-yoon, a Supreme Council member, said that the president was being belittled for speaking of international peace and human rights. Moon Jung-bok, a Supreme Council member, defended the president's message as a "legitimate diplomatic stance" and "high-level politics."

At this point, it is not mere protection. The attitude of the Presidential Office and the Democratic Party of Korea is closer to treating the president's words as doctrine, rather than the stance of critical advisors and a responsible political party.

Instead of calmly resolving the controversy that arose from a flawed comparison, the core of power mobilized to uphold the president's words as aphorisms and to attack the critics.

This is not an explanation, but a "hymn of praise for the unworthy."

If an atmosphere where mistakes are not called mistakes and a leader's words are exalted and praised takes root even within the power structure, state affairs will inevitably lean towards a system of worship and obedience rather than a system of explanation and accountability.

A president is not in a position to lecture from above the public.

This is even more true when the controversy began with one's own post and one's own comparison. In such cases, what is needed is an explanation of the facts and a responsible attitude, not arrogant metaphors of strategic insight.

If you truly believe you are right, there is no need to hide behind the rank of power.

Do not frame criticism as treason, do not treat the public as mere advisors, and do not hide behind the anthems of the Presidential Office and the ruling party. Do not shift Lee Jae-myung's mistakes onto the public.

Who is right is not determined by the height of power. Ultimately, it will be decided in front of the people, by facts and logic.