Tak Hyun-min: "Yoon's Rising Sun Flag Salute Was a 'Protocol Mistake'"... Presidential Office: "Japanese Side Practice"

President Yoon's Rising Sun Flag Salute Controversy: Tak Hyun-min Calls It a "Protocol Mistake"
"Why Not Clarify That the US President's Salute Was Different?"

"It's really tiring that they keep insisting, but I will clarify it anyway."

Former Blue House Protocol Secretary Tak Hyun-min continued his criticism on the social networking service (SNS) on the 17th, calling the controversy over President Yoon Seok-yeol's salute to the Rising Sun Flag an 'protocol mistake.' He refuted claims that leaders from Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries visiting Japan simultaneously bowed in front of their national flags and the Rising Sun Flag alongside Prime Minister Kishida.

Former Secretary Tak questioned, "Not all countries did that. Why don't they clarify that the salutes of the two previous U.S. presidents were different? Moreover, wasn't President Yoon Seok-yeol's salute different this time as well? It's clearly visible to the eye, so why?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office explained that the Japanese custom is that during the welcoming honor guard ceremony for visiting leaders, both leaders briefly stand and bow to each other's national flags while the honor guard is being inspected. However, former Secretary Tak also refuted this.

Former Secretary Tak pointed out, "President Yoon Seok-yeol, apart from standing together in front of both national flags and saluting, also performed a hand-over-heart salute alone in front of the Taegeukgi. At that time, Prime Minister Kishida stood still. Conversely, when Prime Minister Kishida bowed in the Japanese style salute, President Yoon bowed together with him."

Former Secretary Tak argued, "(President Yoon) could not have saluted the Taegeukgi twice, so one salute must have been directed at the Rising Sun Flag. This is the situation on site. Even if you believe the Presidential Office's explanation as it is, it means he saluted the Taegeukgi once and saluted both the Taegeukgi and the Rising Sun Flag once."

Former Secretary Tak criticized, "Is this Japan's protocol? Are there other cases worldwide where a leader salutes once to their own national flag and twice?once to their own and once to the host country's flag? If you are going to insist, then insist properly. Isn't this clearer than saying it was a mistake or intentional? This is the fact that remains."