Yoon on Hwamyun Solidarity Strike Withdrawal: "Economic Crisis on Thin Ice... We Must Cooperate Together"

"Regarding the new name for the presidential office, 'Considering criticism... let's do it gradually'
On Kim Geon-hee's acquaintance accompanying her: 'Bongha Village is a place all citizens can visit'
On counter-protests in front of the residence: 'A right of the people according to the law'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Seok-yeol said on the 15th, "The whole world is walking on thin ice due to the economic crisis caused by high inflation and high interest rates, so I think we all need to cooperate well by considering the whole together."

On the morning of the same day, on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon met with reporters and responded to the criticism that "there is still a spark left regarding the withdrawal of the Cargo Solidarity strike" by saying, "Well, I am somewhat anxious."

The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which went on a general strike on the 14th, withdrew the strike after agreeing on continuously promoting the Safe Freight Rate System and other matters during the 5th working-level talks with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at the inland logistics base (ICD) in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, the previous afternoon.

President Yoon also addressed the fact that although a public contest was held to name the presidential office, no new name was decided, saying, "Didn't the media also view the names submitted in the contest unfavorably?" and "Considering much criticism, we concluded to proceed gradually."

Regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee visiting Bongha Village on the 13th accompanied by an acquaintance, he said, "I know the person in the photo well; she is my wife's longtime friend from Busan," and added, "It seems she brought a lot of things like bread that Mrs. (Kwon Yang-sook) likes when visiting her."

He continued, "It seems she knew a place in Busan that does those things well and guided her," and said, "Isn't Bongha Village a place that all citizens can visit?"

This was in response to the Democratic Party of Korea's criticism the previous day, which pointed out that the First Lady was accompanied by an acquaintance and labeled it as 'behind-the-scenes influence.'

President Yoon also said, "I've heard such stories a lot since the election," and questioned, "Right now, since (First Lady Kim) has no official entourage or secretarial team at all, she cannot go alone. Please tell me how to handle this."

Regarding the suggestion that it might be better to create a second secretariat to accompany the First Lady as her schedule increases, he said, "Since this is my first time being president, I don't know how to divide this into official and unofficial matters..." and added, "There are things that cannot be avoided as the president's wife. How to organize and handle this, I have just started... I will listen to public opinion and think about it gradually."

On the counter-protests taking place in front of President Yoon's residence in Seocho-dong, Seoul, he said, "It is the people's right according to the law, so I will not comment separately on that." Progressive YouTubers protesting in front of former President Moon Jae-in's Yangsan residence started counter-protests at President Yoon's residence from the previous day.