“In the end, we have no choice but to adapt — and to do so quickly.”His remarks reflected mounting concern across South Korean society that the adoption of A.I. The president said debates that once seemed theoretical are now becoming urgent policy questions. During his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, a city south of Seoul, Lee had advocated expanding basic social protections — proposals that were once viewed as politically ambitious. “There is growing agreement that basic social policies are necessary to prepare for extreme polarization in an A.I.-driven society,” he said. Beyond technology policy, Lee pressed his aides to move faster on legislation and major administrative initiatives, saying delays risked eroding public confidence.