[Opinion] The 'Iptulmak' Moment at KAIST Graduation Ceremony

President Yoon Seok-yeol Faced Graduate Protest During Congratulatory Speech
Should Have Shown Communication and Inclusiveness Rather Than Forced Removal

Former President Moon Jae-in stirred controversy by suing a person who criticized him during his tenure for defamation. In 2019, near the National Assembly fountain, a man in his 30s named Kim distributed leaflets claiming that the late father of then-President Moon and others were pro-Japanese collaborators. Among the content was a phrase stating, "The bright red identity of Moon Jae-in, the dog of North Korea." The police judged these phrases to constitute defamation and sent the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment after two years. When this became known, criticism arose that the president suing a private citizen for punishment was an excessive response that restricted freedom of expression. Until then, former President Moon had said, "Criticizing the government or insulting the president should be allowed within the scope of freedom of expression," and "If insulting the president makes you feel better, that's also a good thing," leading to accusations of hypocrisy. As the controversy spread, former President Moon ordered the withdrawal of the lawsuit, and the prosecution decided not to indict Kim, bringing the issue to a close.

In fact, considering the content, the insult was extreme. Calling the president "the dog of North Korea" and spreading "fake news" about his father legally justified a response and punishment. Nevertheless, the reason the media and civil society criticized the president's lawsuit at the time was that even if it constituted defamation, the president should be extremely cautious about silencing the people's voices.

However, on the 16th, at the KAIST graduation ceremony, security guards escorted a protesting graduate out of the venue during President Yoon Suk-yeol's congratulatory speech. While President Yoon was speaking, graduate Shin Min-ki stood up, held a placard, and shouted in protest against the government's research and development (R&D) budget cuts for this year. Security guards dressed in graduation gowns immediately covered his mouth and lifted his arms and legs to escort him out of the venue.

Of course, Shin's behavior was a disruptive act that interrupted the president's speech and disturbed the graduation ceremony. Even if one agrees with the concerns about the R&D budget, I do not want to condone such a form of protest. The presidential office explained, "The disruptive individual was separated to ensure security within the protection zone and maintain order at the event." However, it raises questions whether it was the best course of action for security guards to display such scenes during an event for graduates, especially when the protest was non-threatening to the president.

The case of former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013 is often cited. During a speech on immigration reform, a shout of "Stop forced deportations" came from behind the podium. When security guards approached to escort the young man out, Obama stopped them, saying, "There is no need to remove him." He added, "That is why we are here today. I respect that young man's passion." Obama's open response has been remembered and praised ever since, proving that a single word can repay a thousand or even ten thousand debts.

What if on that day President Yoon had stopped the security guards from removing the young man and said, "I will listen to your opinion. However, since I am giving a speech now, let's have a chance to talk later"? This would have dispelled the public perception that President Yoon dislikes uncomfortable voices and demonstrated an openness to communication. Would a brief interruption of the president's speech have been such a big problem? The bigger issue is the concern about a "closed society" where protesting the president results in being silenced and dragged out. I want to see a presidential office that not only protects the president's mood but also safeguards the people's voices.

Yoo Chang-sun, Political Commentator