Various Moments from President Moon Jae-in's New Year's Press Conference
[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] President Moon Jae-in's third New Year's press conference since his inauguration was held. Like the previous two New Year's press conferences, the event proceeded without predetermined questioners or question order, with President Moon directly selecting questioners and engaging in Q&A.
The conference, held on the morning of the 14th at the Blue House State Guest House, lasted about 100 minutes from 10:00 to 11:47, attended by approximately 200 domestic and foreign reporters accredited to the Blue House. Unlike last year, when the press conference followed the New Year's address, this year it started immediately after a brief greeting of about one minute, as President Moon had delivered the New Year's address on the 7th. The bright blue background and low podium bore the phrase "Certain Change Korea 2020," and the press seats were arranged in a fan shape centered on President Moon. President Moon attended wearing a dark red tie and a "Fruit of Love" badge from the Community Chest of Korea on his left chest.
The press conference was conducted in the same manner as last year, where reporters who wished to ask questions raised their hands, and President Moon designated the questioners. Ko Min-jung, Blue House spokesperson assisting with the proceedings, said, "Since nothing was predetermined, reporters are asked to raise their hands to ask questions." Before answering, President Moon said, "There are two monitors in front of me showing the name, affiliation, and a brief summary of the question of the reporter asking," adding, "I say this in advance because there have been suspicions that answers might have been prepared beforehand," which caused laughter.
Following this, as is customary, President Moon gave the first question opportunity to the press corps secretary, after which reporters raised their hands to request questions. President Moon designated questioners by saying things like "The person wearing glasses in the second row," or "The female reporter in white." Due to limited time, about 20 to 30 reporters raised their hands per question opportunity, leading to intense competition to ask questions. Some reporters waved their memo pads high to catch President Moon's attention, and as last year, a reporter appeared wearing Hanbok. The Q&A proceeded in the order of political and social issues, livelihood and economy, and foreign affairs and security.
As with last year's press conference, the use of music was notable. Just before the press conference, four songs including "Love Redevelopment" by Yusanseul played, and after the conference, President Moon greeted reporters while the singer Lee Juck's "Shall We Walk Together" played as background music during his exit. Previously, at last year's New Year's press conference, five songs including "Bravo My Life" by Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter played before the conference, and the ending song was "It's Okay" by the college student rapper hip-hop group Groovl1n.
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