'Drowsiness Controversy' Yoon, "Regret Over Unfair Political Attacks... Be Careful with Words and Actions in Accordance with the People's Common Sense," Retaliates Against Choi Jae-sung

Choi Jaeseong "Former Prosecutor General Yoon Slept for 120 Minutes During Ven. Wolju's Funeral"
Yoon Seokyeol "Former Chief Choi Distorted the Memorial into a Scene of Conflict with Baseless Claims"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is greeting monks ahead of the funeral ceremony for Ven. Wolju, former Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, held on the 26th at Geumsansa Temple in Gimje-si, Jeonbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "He dozed off for 120 minutes straight at the funeral of Monk Wolju. Did he work 120 hours straight last week?" In response, Yoon's campaign team rebutted, calling it "regrettable 'forced criticism politics'."

On the 27th, former Senior Secretary Choi posted on his social media (SNS) a message titled "Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, this was too much."

He pointed out, "Fighting drowsiness is difficult for all politicians, but since dozing off at official events or parliamentary meetings is problematic, even if they doze off, it rarely exceeds 10 to 20 seconds. However, former Prosecutor General Yoon, who attended Monk Wolju's funeral yesterday (26th), dozed off for the entire 120 minutes." This appears to mock Yoon's recent controversial statement about working "120 hours a week."

He continued, "There has never been anyone like that at any funeral, memorial day, or numerous parliamentary meetings," adding, "Moreover, yesterday, former Prosecutor General Yoon made dehumanizing remarks related to the House of Sharing, yet he only spoke when it suited him and just slept the rest of the time. He lacks not only the stature of a leader but also basic manners."

Photo by Yoon, former Prosecutor General, captured from the National Camp Facebook page

In response, on the 27th, Yoon's side countered, saying, "It was only recently that Representative Song Young-gil mentioned to Representative Lee Jun-seok not to engage in the wasteful 'forced criticism politics' of unjustly disparaging others. Nevertheless, former Senior Secretary Choi distorted the occasion of mourning the deceased into a stage for political conflict and dispute by making baseless claims."

They further criticized, "Former Senior Secretary Choi sat diagonally across from candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, taking a seat behind Minister Choo Mi-ae. If Choi's 'forced criticism' claim were true, he would have been staring at candidate Yoon for the entire 120 minutes of the memorial, but we don't know how else to respond to such an absurd claim."

They added, "While focusing on COVID-19 prevention and practicing social distancing, perhaps he wanted to boast about his extraordinary health and stamina by attending early morning soccer games. Recently, former Senior Secretary Choi also targeted Representative Song Young-gil, calling him the 'biggest risk' as party leader. We urge him to be cautious in his words and actions in accordance with the public's common sense."