Yoon Meets Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek and Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong: "Shocked by Many Sacrifices"

Senior Secretary Kim Eun-hye apologizes repeatedly for 'You're joking' written remark controversy... Shows tears while introducing Yoon's remarks
Presidential Office official says "Sadness should not be used politically" in response to opposition's demand for a state audit including the Presidential Office investigation

President Yoon Suk-yeol is having a conversation with Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung at the Bishop's Residence of Catholic University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 9th and met with Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek to seek advice. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 9th, President Yoon Seok-yeol met with Cardinal Yeom Soo-kyung and Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek, expressing, "It is still heartbreaking that so many lives were tragically lost without any chance to intervene," as he sought wisdom and advice to comfort the victims and their families and to achieve a major transformation toward a safer Republic of Korea.

This move is interpreted as an effort to heal the divided public opinion during the aftermath and investigation of the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush disaster.

President Yoon made these remarks during separate meetings with Cardinal Yeom at the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and Archbishop Jeong at Catholic University earlier that morning, according to Kim Eun-hye, the chief spokesperson, who briefed at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon.

When meeting Archbishop Jeong, President Yoon said, "I was deeply saddened and came to visit because I couldn’t understand how such a tragedy could happen in Korea in 2022."

Archbishop Jeong responded, "Seeing the President visiting various sites and listening to opinions from all walks of life to share the pain with the people, I believe the President’s sincerity will be well conveyed to the public," and added, "I hope this incident will serve as an opportunity to do our best to upgrade the national system so that similar accidents never happen again," Kim relayed.

President Yoon also expressed to Cardinal Yeom, "It is devastating that the Itaewon disaster occurred after taking office," and shared his feelings, saying, "Thinking about the parents of the victims who went to the festival but never returned is very painful."

In response, Cardinal Yeom said, "Where there are people, there are eyes," and added, "If you look with the eyes of a parent who loves their child, you can understand what the child wants. I will pray that the President can have such eyes."

Later that afternoon, during a luncheon meeting with Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Unity Committee, President Yoon requested, "Please prepare measures within the National Unity Committee to comfort the victims’ families, the injured, and the public affected by the Itaewon disaster," and urged, "Please explore various ways to heal the wounds of the people and ensure that the nation and government protect each and every citizen, with the National Unity Committee making efforts in this regard."

During the briefing, Kim Eun-hye became emotional while conveying President Yoon’s words, "those who went to the festival but never returned..."

At the end of the briefing, Kim also apologized again for the note written by Kang Seung-gyu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society, during the National Assembly’s Presidential Office audit session the previous day, which read "You’re joking." Kim said, "I deeply regret the inappropriate behavior. I was not fully focused on the session and I reflect on that," and added, "However, I want to clarify that this note has nothing to do with the session or the Itaewon disaster. I sincerely apologize once again."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked about future plans as the Yoon Seok-yeol administration reaches its six-month mark on the 10th of this month, a senior official from the Presidential Office said, "Calling a first-term president unfamiliar with Yeouido politics to this stage reflects the hope that 'he would rebuild the fallen nation' and 'establish national values of fairness and common sense.' The remaining four years and six months will be dedicated to rebuilding the fallen nation for the people, protecting the nation and its citizens safely, and demonstrating the Yoon administration’s vision and progressive direction to defend the country and its people internationally," the official stated.

Regarding the National Assembly’s demand for a state investigation, which includes the Presidential Office within its scope, the official dismissed it, saying, "I believe this great sorrow should not be politicized." He added, "Since the Special Investigation Headquarters is thoroughly investigating all circumstances and facts of the accident, we will observe the situation," and remarked, "I believe the public will make a sound judgment on why such proposals have been made by the people."