NATO Posts Photo of Yoon with Eyes Closed on Homepage... Presidential Office Requests Photo Replacement

Photo with eyes closed removed from NATO homepage, replaced by photo of Yoon with eyes wide open
Biden's 'no-look handshake' controversy... Presidential Office: "It's dangerous to judge the relationship based on a fleeting moment"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared with his eyes closed in a group photo of heads of state participating in the NATO summit posted on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) website, prompting the presidential office to request NATO to replace the photo.

On the 29th (local time), NATO held a photo session at the Madrid Exhibition and Convention Center (IFEMA) with the heads of state from four countries?South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand?attending as 'Asia-Pacific partner countries,' along with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and subsequently posted the photo on its website.

The issue arose because President Yoon was standing on the far right with his eyes closed, leading to some criticism regarding diplomatic etiquette and protocol negligence.

After recognizing this, the presidential office stated that it requested NATO to replace the photo. In the newly posted photo on the NATO website, President Yoon is shown with his eyes open.

A presidential office official explained at the Madrid Press Center that morning, in response to a reporter's question, "Why was such a photo uploaded without any review process?" saying, "I think it was a minor administrative mistake," and added, "It is difficult to review every photo that NATO uploads."

The presidential office also addressed the controversy over U.S. President Joe Biden's 'No Look' handshake with President Yoon, stating, "The summit between President Biden and President Yoon was held faster than with any previous administration, especially with President Biden visiting Korea, so there is sufficient mutual understanding and empathy between the two leaders," and added, "It is risky to judge bilateral relations and the relationship between the leaders based on such a real-time, fleeting moment."

The 'No Look' handshake controversy arose when President Biden appeared to offer a formal handshake without properly making eye contact with President Yoon at the welcome dinner hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on the 28th.