Yoo In-tae: "The President's response is dismal... Everyone was like 'Why did Yoon change like that?'"

"Person Responsible for Truth Clarification is Themselves... Even People Who Know Yoon Well Say 'Why Are They Like That'"
"It Would Be Over If They Explained and Apologized, Don't Know What They Are Afraid Of"

Former Secretary General of the National Assembly Yuin-tae./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yoon Jin Kim] Former Secretary General of the National Assembly Yoon In-tae said on the 29th that the controversy over President Yoon Seok-yeol's use of profanity during his overseas trip has not ended, adding, "The president's response makes the people feel very disheartened."

On the 29th, former Secretary General Yoon made this remark on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' pointing out that President Yoon is blaming the media. He criticized, "He goes to the broadcasting station and tells them to investigate the facts about what he said, but he himself is the one who should be investigating the facts. How can the world be turning upside down like this? It’s truly miserable to live in such a country."

He also mentioned the recent controversies involving President Yoon and the ruling party due to leaked conversations such as the 'text message scandal.' Former Secretary General Yoon directly criticized, "They got caught opening smartphones, got caught with the cherry thumbs-up, and even got caught with the vice chairman of the Ethics Committee. They should just apologize quickly and end it. These days, the People Power Party lawmakers look somewhat pitiful."

Former Secretary General Yoon quoted reactions from people around President Yoon regarding the controversy, saying, "People who have had drinks with the president at least 50 times say, 'Why is Yoon Seok-yeol acting like this?' Not just this time, but everyone is puzzled by how he behaves since becoming president." He added, "They had expectations that he wouldn’t deviate too much from common sense, but after he became president and especially after seeing this, everyone says, 'Why has he changed like this?'"

He continued, "If he had acknowledged and apologized, it would have been nothing. If he had done that, it would have been a problem that could have been moved past, but maybe he had a fear that a huge disaster would come if he did so. Isn’t that completely incomprehensible?" He pointed out, "If from the beginning he had said he didn’t know the microphone was on, expressed regret, and explained, it would have been over."

Meanwhile, former Secretary General Yoon described the day before that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung’s advocacy for a four-year single-term presidency and expansion of the mixed-member proportional representation system was "quite impressive." He mentioned, "President Yoon also seems quite positive about political change," emphasizing the need to quickly transition the political situation and form a constitutional amendment special committee, adding, "It’s frustrating to be stuck with nonsense like this," urging for the controversy to be resolved as soon as possible.