'Junior' Yoon Seok-yeol pats Hong Joon-pyo's shoulder saying "Stop it, ah really" video goes viral

Hong Joon-pyo, member of the People Power Party, and Yoon Seok-youl, former Prosecutor General (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] After the People Power Party's head-to-head debate, a scene of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Assemblyman Hong Jun-pyo having a conversation in a corner of the debate hall has become a hot topic online.

Recently, videos titled "What Yoon Seok-yeol said to Hong Jun-pyo after the head-to-head debate" and "Yoon Seok-yeol disciplining Hong Jun-pyo" have been spreading on online communities. In the released video, former Prosecutor General Yoon approaches Assemblyman Hong with a bright smile, lightly pats his shoulder once, and says something. The video includes the subtitle "Stop it, seriously."

Following this, a subtitle appeared stating "Hong Jun-pyo born in 1954, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 14, Yoon Seok-yeol born in 1960, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 23."

On the 15th, after the debate between rivals, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is seen patting the shoulder of People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo while speaking. /Video=Online community

Later, the video was also mentioned on TBS Radio's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" on the same day (18th).

Host Kim Eo-jun asked Yoon Hee-seok, public relations special advisor for Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign, "Yoon candidate lightly patted Hong candidate's shoulder like a junior, as if saying well done... I don't know the actual conversation. In a debate, a senior might say 'what's important,' but among conservative supporters aged 60 and above, might that seem uncomfortable?"

In response, Advisor Yoon said, "I haven't seen the video, nor was I present at the scene. I heard that he said well done. But we don't know the content of the conversation." He added, "I don't think there's a need to think that the senior-junior respect was not shown regarding certain gestures. As far as I know, the two have a good relationship."

However, Kim asked again, "Watching the video once makes you think that way. Usually, a few silent scenes leave a strong impression." "Is Yoon's current attitude in the campaign completely fine, and will it continue going forward?"

Advisor Yoon replied, "We have no choice but to actively defend against baseless moral controversies, so-called various suspicions, and such. Other than that, regarding policies or national vision, there is absolutely no reason to be harsh toward the opposing candidate. The response attitude is determined according to the opponent's questions."