Yoon Faces Slang Controversy Head-On... "Reports Contrary to Facts, Truth Must Be Revealed"

- Demand for 'Fact-Checking' in Reporting on Profanity Remarks... Likely to Deepen Ruling and Opposition Conflict
- People Power Party: "Overseas Trip Controversy Is a Political Disaster, Not a Diplomatic One"... Hints at Requesting Investigation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Seok-yeol stated on the 26th regarding the controversy over his use of profanity during his visit to New York, USA, "False reports that damage alliances put the people at risk." This is the first time President Yoon has expressed his position on his remarks. Notably, he emphasized the need for a 'fact-finding investigation' rather than apologizing for the profanity, signaling his intention to confront the issue head-on, which is expected to further intensify political controversy.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon met with reporters on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office and responded to the question, "What is your position on the remarks made while leaving the event during your US visit that have caused controversy?" by saying, "The truth about this matter (false reports) must be clearly revealed."

Earlier, on the 21st (local time), after attending the 7th replenishment conference of the Global Fund hosted by US President Joe Biden in New York, a scene was captured on camera where President Yoon appeared to say, "If these XX in the National Assembly don't approve it, what will OOO do, feeling embarrassed?" Following reports interpreting this as "What will Biden do, feeling embarrassed?" the presidential office clarified that the word was not 'Biden' but 'if it fails,' and that the profanity was directed at the Korean National Assembly, not the US Congress, which further fueled the controversy.

Within political circles, opinions emerged that President Yoon should directly express his position after returning to Korea to resolve the situation. Since President Yoon has consistently emphasized cooperation and communication with the National Assembly, it was judged that an apology was necessary for the use of profanity.

However, President Yoon first demanded a 'fact-check' regarding the reporting process of the remarks. On the same day, he pointed out, "Except for two or three superpowers worldwide, no country can protect the lives and safety of its citizens solely with its own capabilities. Alliances are essential," adding, "False reports that damage alliances put the people at risk," which aligns with the same context.

The ruling party, the People Power Party, also began focusing on the circumstances under which MBC aired the report rather than the profanity controversy itself. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "We will take various measures available to our party, including a protest visit to MBC and demanding an explanation of the circumstances." It was reported that party emergency committee members and ruling party lawmakers from the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee planned to visit MBC headquarters to protest. The floor leader also targeted the opposition, saying, "It is truly regrettable that the president's efforts and achievements to expand national interests have been overshadowed by the opposition's various smear campaigns," and added, "This controversy over the president's overseas visit can only be defined as a political disaster, not a diplomatic one."

He also hinted at the possibility of requesting an investigation into MBC. Kim Haeng, a member of the People Power Party's emergency committee, said, "There is sufficient suspicion of inciting mad cow disease-like hysteria and devilish editing," and added, "It can only be seen that there was collusion between floor leader Park Hong-geun and a specific reporter or that a specific reporter acted as a spy." He continued, "The decision-making process of MBC's management must also be scrutinized," and stated, "This should be questioned during the national audit and simultaneously referred for investigation."

Political circles expect that as President Yoon has mentioned a ‘fact-finding investigation,’ conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties will deepen. With the first regular session of the National Assembly under the Yoon administration underway and the national audit approaching, choosing a ‘strong stance’ makes cooperation difficult to expect. However, a presidential office official cautioned against overinterpretation of President Yoon's remark that "the truth must be clearly revealed," explaining in a general manner that "the facts must be clearly established."