Hong Ik-pyo: "Yoon's New Year Interview, a Well-Designed Script... Only Fuels Public Anger"

"Failing to Show Honest Answers to Criticized Issues"
"Anchor Who Can't Be Called a Luxury Bag"... Responsibility Debate at KBS

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized 'President Yoon Seok-yeol's New Year's interview,' saying, "It was a well-scripted interview intended to cover up the current awkward situation, but it only fueled public outrage."

At the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th, Floor Leader Hong said, "How did the public view the presidential office's New Year's interview yesterday (the 7th)?" He pointed out, "Because there were no free questions or sincere answers regarding issues that have drawn public criticism, it only increased anger." President Yoon's New Year's interview was recorded on the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office and aired on KBS around 10 p.m. the previous day.

Democratic Party floor leader Hong Ik-pyo listens to the remarks of Policy Committee Chairman Lee Gae-ho at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He targeted President Yoon, saying, "He feared the truth, failed to empathize with the people's suffering, and was scared because he had many things to hide," adding, "He only caused frustration to the people who have to watch a president who is not upright." He further criticized, "When moving the office to Yongsan, he justified it as escaping the 'old palace Blue House,' but now he is the one trapped in the palace, intoxicated by autocratic power. I hope he reflects on this."

He also raised 'responsibility' regarding KBS. Floor Leader Hong stated, "The members of KBS feel very ashamed of their current position," and claimed, "The responsibility lies with President Park Min." He continued, "The interview only listed the gifts the president received and boasted about the office," and disparaged, "Anchors who cannot call luxury bags by their name and who described bribery merely as 'regrettable' showed arrogance standing above the people."

Furthermore, he said, "The president's words should provide comfort and hope to the people and unite them, but despite repeated failures and mistakes, there was not a single word of reflection, only hollow answers," adding, "There was no comfort that the people wanted to hear." He added, "The absence of questions about the Itaewon tragedy and the Marine Corps' fallen soldiers shows why the president avoids (live interviews)."