'This XX' is the Korean National Assembly... Democratic Party "The president swore at the opposition party abroad... It's swearing at the people"
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The presidential office's explanation that President Yoon Seok-yeol's use of profanity during his visit to New York was directed at "our National Assembly" has only intensified the controversy. The opposition parties have reacted strongly, accusing the president of cursing the people while abroad. Meanwhile, the ruling party has come to President Yoon's defense, signaling a likely escalation in partisan conflict.
On the 22nd (local time), Kim Eun-hye, Chief Secretary for Public Relations, met with reporters at the Korean Press Center set up in a hotel in New York and said, "Please listen to the controversial remark again. It says, 'If the National Assembly doesn't approve and throws it away.' There is no mention of the U.S., and there is even less reason to say 'Biden.'" This was in response to a video that went viral, showing President Yoon apparently saying, "If those National Assembly bastards don't approve it, what will Biden do, feeling embarrassed?" while walking with Foreign Minister Park Jin after a 48-second meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in New York. The explanation was that the remark was not aimed at the U.S. Congress or President Biden.
The controversy deepened when Kim was asked, "Does that mean yesterday's remark was directed at our National Assembly?" and she replied, "Yes." The context was that President Yoon had pledged $100 million to the Global Fund for disease eradication but was concerned that the Korean National Assembly might oppose and block the approval.
The opposition reacted strongly. On the 23rd, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, called it a "false explanation" during a Supreme Council meeting and sharply asked, "Are the 169 Democratic Party members really 'bastards'?" Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min also criticized, saying, "They are just making a situation that requires a quick and sincere apology worse," and added, "The explanation is an even bigger problem. The president cursing the opposition abroad is effectively cursing the people."
The ruling party moved to defend the president. On the same day, Chung Jin-seok, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said on the radio, "It was a private muttering of concern about the National Assembly's approval, but blowing this up?whether it helps the national interest or not?requires some calm."
However, there is also a sense of discomfort over the unexpected explanation from the presidential office. A ruling party official said, "From our position, needing economic and security cooperation from the U.S., it is regrettable that the Korean National Assembly was chosen as a scapegoat." Nevertheless, as President Yoon left New York, he posted on Facebook, "I expect active cooperation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea," reinforcing the presidential office's explanation.
The controversy is likely to reignite after President Yoon's return on the 24th. With the regular session of the National Assembly underway, the Democratic Party may use this issue to increase pressure on the government and ruling party. There are also forecasts that the presidential office's key second-half national agenda of "early achievement of government tasks" will face difficulties. Many issues require cooperation with the National Assembly, and persuading the Democratic Party has become even more challenging.
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