President Yoon Places Hand on Chest During US National Anthem... "Not Disrespectful"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol placing his hand over his chest while the U.S. national anthem was played at the welcoming dinner for the Korea-U.S. summit on the 21st, the presidential office stated that "this cannot be considered a breach of protocol."

On the 23rd, the presidential office explained through a press release, "Placing one's hand over the chest while the national anthem of the other country is played is a sign of respect toward the other nation and cannot be regarded as a breach of protocol."

The presidential office added, "In strictly protocol-adhering military events, a salute is maintained throughout the playing of both countries' national anthems," and "According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Korean Flag Act and the Government Protocol Manual, there are no restrictions on showing respect during the playing of the other country's national anthem."

In the video at the time, President Yoon is seen placing his hand over his chest while the U.S. national anthem was played. Meanwhile, Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, who was standing to President Biden's left, and many other Korean attendees at different tables maintained the attention posture, leading to criticism in political circles that this was a "protocol mistake."