"President Moon criticized for using BTS popularity in show... Blue House responds, 'Invited by UN'"

Park Suhyun "Wondering if political interpretation is necessary... Please evaluate as it is"

On the afternoon of the 21st (local time), the group BTS delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 'SDG Moment' held at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] The Blue House has drawn a line regarding criticisms that President Moon Jae-in utilized the popularity of the global idol group BTS during their attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in the U.S., stating that the UN directly invited both President Moon and BTS separately.

Park Suhyun, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, said on the 23rd during MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" program, "I find it puzzling whether there is a need to interpret this politically," and added, "I hope what exists is evaluated as it is."

Park emphasized, "The theme of this year's UN General Assembly is precisely the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It includes the topic of how to overcome the pandemic and pass it on to future generations," and stated, "From that perspective, the UN invited the President of South Korea, who is successfully overcoming the pandemic, and BTS, representatives of the youth and future generations."

He further rebutted, "Since the UN invited them with distinct meanings, President Moon as the president and BTS as BTS can both take pride in how much South Korea's national prestige, status, and cultural power have grown."

President Moon Jae-in is explaining the plastic waste necktie to BTS after finishing an interview with ABC News at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the afternoon of the 21st (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 21st (local time), President Moon delivered a speech at the SDG Moment held at the UN Headquarters General Assembly Hall in New York, stating, "Cooperation beyond borders among humanity is the first step to overcoming crises." BTS members, who stood alongside President Moon at the podium, each took turns delivering speeches.

In response, on the 22nd, the People Power Party issued a statement criticizing, "Although the host country, the United States, requested refraining from direct visits due to the spread of COVID-19 variants, President Moon Jae-in attended the UN General Assembly with BTS," and "The reason for insisting on attendance was the need for a 'show' featuring President Moon delivering a speech at the UN General Assembly and the global singer BTS."

Kang Ming-guk, the party's floor spokesperson, criticized, "Isn't using popularity for a 'show' one of the things this administration does best?" and "Last year, when fairness issues were controversial among the youth, the government invited BTS to the Blue House to emphasize 'fairness.'"

He added, "The purpose of this show seems to be a message of courtship toward North Korea," and stated, "The government should focus on national security rather than sending conciliatory gestures without even demanding minimal attitude changes from North Korea."