Presidential Office on Yoon's Controversial Remarks: "'Nalrim,' Not 'Biden'... Distortion is Self-Harm to National Interest"

Chief Public Relations Officer: "The National Assembly is a Major Opposition Party, Not the US Congress"
"Sowing Discord Among Allies with Lies is Self-Harm to National Interests"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Office clarified on the 22nd (local time) that the controversy over President Yoon Seok-yeol's use of profanity was a result of patchwork editing and distortion, and that it was not aimed at the U.S. Congress or President Joe Biden. It also criticized, saying, "Sowing discord among allies with falsehoods is truly a self-harming act against national interests."

Kim Eun-hye, Senior Secretary for Public Relations, met with reporters at the Korea Press Center set up in a hotel in New York that morning and said, "Please listen again. It says, '(If the Korean) National Assembly does not approve and rejects it.' There is no mention of the U.S. here, and there is even less reason to say 'Biden,'" emphasizing this point.

The day before, a scene was captured on camera as President Yoon appeared to say to Foreign Minister Park Jin while leaving the 7th replenishment pledge meeting of the Global Fund hosted by President Biden, "If these XX don’t approve it, what will Biden do, feeling embarrassed?" which sparked controversy.

Regarding this, Secretary Kim said, "President Yoon announced the government's policy to fulfill the international community's responsibility for freedom and solidarity in his speech at the meeting," adding, "However, he expressed concern to Minister Park that if the major opposition party, which controls the budget review authority, breaks this policy and refuses to fulfill even the minimum responsibility to the international community, the country's dignity could be at stake." President Yoon pledged a $100 million contribution to eradicate diseases in underdeveloped countries at this meeting.

She continued, "Minister Park responded that he would persuade the opposition party well to pass the budget," and added, "Following President Yoon’s remarks, Minister Park’s statement to the effect of 'We will make efforts in our National Assembly' is not included in the video."

Secretary Kim criticized, "As a result, South Korea has overnight become a country that mocks an ally with whom it has been together for nearly 70 years," and said, "Diplomatic visits are places where a war without guns and knives is fought with the counterpart for national interests, but before even taking a step forward, patchwork editing and distortion break the momentum."

When asked if they confirmed the phrase "if it is rejected," Secretary Kim said, "We cannot confidently say whether 'Biden' was mentioned or not without confirming this directly with the person who made the statement."

She added, "There may be some margin of error, but the difference between whether it is 'Biden' or 'if it is rejected' or other words not related to Biden is quite large," and said, "So, whether it is Biden or not, at least we are confident in saying that it was not Biden."

When asked if the remarks yesterday were directed at the Korean National Assembly, Secretary Kim answered, "Yes."