Yoon: "Sorry for not fully heeding the people's will... Reflecting while facing punishment"

Lee Jae-myung's Request for a Summit Meeting "Open... At Least Time Needed"

President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized on the 16th for the crushing defeat in the April 10 general election, saying, "I am sorry to the people." This is the first time since the election that President Yoon has directly or indirectly expressed an apology using the phrase "sorry."

According to a senior official from the presidential office who spoke to reporters, President Yoon made these remarks during his closing comments at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning. The official explained that the apology meant that the president himself felt sorry for not properly understanding and honoring the will of the people.

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting broadcast live that day, President Yoon self-assessed, "Although we set the right direction for state affairs and did our best, it was insufficient to bring about changes that the people could feel." This statement drew criticism not only from the opposition but also from some within the ruling party.

The official said, "In his opening remarks, President Yoon said, 'I will not hesitate to do anything for the people's livelihood.' In his closing remarks and the subsequent meeting with aides, he said, 'I will do anything for the people,' and 'What is there that I cannot do for the people?'" The official added, "President Yoon repeatedly said, 'I, as the president, was at fault first, and from now on, I will communicate more and better. I also ask ministers and public officials to strengthen communication with the people, including other forms of communication.'

In particular, the official explained that President Yoon mentioned, "Regarding the public sentiment in this general election, if one reflects on what was done wrong and how to improve, like when I was hit with a switch by my mother as a child, the meaning of the switch becomes greater." He added, "Ultimately, the point we need to consider while being 'hit with the switch' by the people is how well and in what way we conduct politics for the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While emphasizing communication with the National Assembly in his opening remarks, when asked by a reporter whether President Yoon was willing to accept the repeated requests by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for a summit meeting, the official said, "President Yoon said, 'What is there that I cannot do for the people?' and the answer is contained within that. Everything is open."

However, the official added that the president would decide the appropriate timing to communicate with the National Assembly after observing situations such as the organization of the 22nd National Assembly and the ruling party's leadership structure formation. At least some physical time is needed.

Meanwhile, when a reporter mentioned that President Yoon actively referred to communication and that new communication methods such as press conferences and the resumption of door-stepping (brief Q&A on the way to work) were being discussed, the official said, "Although not mentioned explicitly, we have thought a lot about various communication methods. There have been delays due to conditions not aligning well, but going forward, including the methods you mentioned, we expect various forms of communication to take place."