U.S. President Joe Biden, who visited South Korea to discuss pending issues between Korea and the U.S., is giving a speech after inspecting the Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] U.S. President Joe Biden, who visited South Korea to discuss issues between South Korea and the U.S., suddenly made remarks encouraging voting, drawing attention.
On the 20th, President Biden toured Samsung Electronics' semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. President Yoon Suk-yeol accompanied him, and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong also accompanied the two leaders.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Biden received a briefing from a Samsung official, the White House press corps reported. Afterwards, an American named "Peter" continued the explanation. Peter is known to be an employee of KLA, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer headquartered in California, U.S., and a Samsung partner. At this event, he introduced KLA's contributions to Samsung's semiconductor manufacturing.
After Peter finished his explanation, President Biden suddenly said, "Don't forget to vote. You may live here, but don't forget to vote."
Most interpretations suggest that President Biden's unexpected encouragement to vote was conscious of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November this year. Analysts say it revealed his urgent need to secure even one more vote to win the midterm elections amid his declining approval ratings in the U.S.
According to recent polls by the AP News and the University of Chicago's polling center, President Biden's approval rating hit a record low of 39%. Also, although the Democratic Party, to which President Biden belongs, currently holds the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, there is growing concern that the Republican Party may take the majority in both chambers in the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, President Biden also made a mistake by referring to President Yoon Suk-yeol as President Moon Jae-in.
After touring the Samsung semiconductor plant that day, he said at the end of his speech, "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is a key pillar for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region."
Then he said, "Thank you all. President Moon." Yonhap News Agency reported that he immediately corrected himself, saying, "Yoon, thank you for everything you have done so far," as if realizing his mistake.
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