[President Yoon's Press Conference] Opposition United in Criticism: "Yoon Avoids Responsibility and Praises Himself" (Comprehensive)

Democratic Party "Insisting Wrong Answers Are Correct"
Jogeuk New Party "No Intention to Change at All"
Reform New Party "Repeating Existing Positions"
Saemirae "Press Conference Marked Only by Excuses and Evasion"
Justice Party "Completely Unaware of Reasons for Election Defeat"

The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, unanimously criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol's 2nd anniversary press conference on the 9th as 'self-praise' and 'evasion of responsibility.'

Han Min-su, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated at a briefing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, "This press conference came after the desperate cry of the people to change the national policy direction in the 22nd general election, but it was filled with self-praise that no citizen could sympathize with. There was no reflection on the administration of state affairs."

Han added, "How long must the people despair at President Yoon's stubbornness?" and "It is very regrettable in that it clearly showed how complacently President Yoon perceives the current situation of the Republic of Korea and its people."

He further pointed out, "President Yoon still does not understand why nearly 70% of the people do not support his administration and why he was judged in the general election," and "especially made it clear that he has no intention of accepting the special investigation laws on the stock manipulation allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee and the investigation interference allegations in the case of Corporal Chae." He also explained, "He once again confirmed that First Lady Kim is an untouchable sanctuary," and "even the special investigation law on Corporal Chae has been stagnant for months, and he left the people disheartened by saying we should just watch the investigation by the authorities."

Criticism also continued from the Democratic Party leadership. Park Chan-dae, floor leader, raised his voice at an emergency press statement at the National Assembly after the president's press conference, saying, "How is this different from writing the wrong answer and insisting it is correct?" Park said, "There was no reflection on the general election results at all in President Yoon's press conference. It was a very disappointing press conference that did not meet the people's expectations at all," and "He still stubbornly insists, 'I did well, but communication was lacking.' How is this different from writing the wrong answer and insisting it is correct?" he questioned.

He added, "He avoided proper mention of the 250,000 won livelihood recovery support fund demanded by the people and the special investigation on Corporal Chae, effectively rejecting them," and "There was enough time to reflect on the general election results, and the Democratic Party conveyed the people's demands without reservation at the summit meeting, but President Yoon himself kicked away the opportunity to change." However, he expressed willingness to cooperate, supporting the creation of a dedicated department related to the low birthrate issue.

President Yoon Seok-yeol answering questions
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Hong Hae-in = President Yoon Seok-yeol is responding to reporters' questions during the "2nd Year National Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration" held at the briefing room of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the morning of May 9, 2024.
hihong@yna.co.kr
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"Nothing has changed, and there is no intention to change"

The Innovation Party also sharpened its criticism. Kim Bo-hyeop, spokesperson for the Innovation Party, said about President Yoon's press conference, "Nothing has changed, and it was confirmed that there is no intention to change," adding, "Even pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) media advise that 'the president must change,' but President Yoon does not seem to have any intention of doing so."

Kim pointed out, "He has not moved a step forward from the perception at the cabinet meeting right after the general election, where he said, 'The national policy direction is correct, but the problem is that the people do not feel it,'" and "There was not a single answer that resonated with the people's hearts." He evaluated, "Although he used expressions like insufficient, inadequate, regretful, and apology, no citizen would have gained confidence that President Yoon reflected on his two years of administration and will do better in the future," and "Everyone knows, but only he does not; President Yoon himself has become the 'naked king.'"

The Reform Party also criticized President Yoon's insufficient awareness of reality. Spokesperson Joo Isaac said in a statement, "Most of the content was a repetition of existing positions."

Joo said, "Since his presidential candidacy, President Yoon has always tried to rebound with some action whenever his approval rating was in crisis, but it seems difficult to expect that anymore," and "While I appreciate the intention to report the president's stance on livelihood issues, most of the content was a repetition of existing positions, so it is hard to give a new evaluation."

2nd Anniversary Inauguration Press Conference, To Ask the President a Question
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Haein = President Yoon Suk-yeol is looking at reporters raising their hands to ask questions during the "2nd Year National Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration" held at the briefing room of the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the morning of May 9, 2024.
hihong@yna.co.kr
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＜Copyright(c) Yonhap News Agency, Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution, AI training and use prohibited＞

He added, "The people have lost trust in President Yoon," and "Isn't that why the ruling party has been defeated from the recent Gangseo District Office by-election to the 22nd general election?"

The New Future Party also commented, "The president's press conference showed no responsible attitude but only excuses and evasion." Lee Seok-hyun, emergency committee chairman of New Future, criticized, "President Yoon ultimately ignored the people's voices asking for a change in national policy direction," and "Although he apologized for the controversies related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, he rejected the special investigation as a 'political attack,' and even evaded accepting the special investigation on the Corporal Chae case, which opposition parties including New Future and some ruling party lawmakers are demanding, by saying 'let's wait for the investigation.'"

He said, "There was not even a word about the unofficial influence controversy that New Future strongly pointed out. It is very regrettable," and "Despite the high inflation and high interest rate era making people's livelihoods more difficult, he said he would 'maintain consistency in policy direction.' Before the Q&A, he only boasted about intangible achievements."

Kim Soo-young, senior spokesperson for the Justice Party, dismissed, "What could be learned from this press conference is only the grim reality that President Yoon has no idea why the ruling party was defeated in the general election."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Frustrating and suffocating"

Even within the ruling party, there were harsh words.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min wrote on his Facebook in the afternoon, "Watching President Yoon's statement and press conference was frustrating and suffocating." Yoo said, "There was no lesson learned from the general election defeat and no indication of how things will change going forward," and "For the president, the world seems the same before and after the general election defeat."

He added, "The answer to the question 'Will you change the national policy direction?' was 'I will maintain consistency,' which was the highlight," and "He rejected both the special investigation laws on First Lady Kim Keon-hee and Corporal Chae. It is worth recalling that President Yoon himself said during the last presidential election, 'Those who reject special investigations are the culprits.'"

Yoo lamented, "He reluctantly met opposition party leaders under public pressure and held a pointless press conference," and "He gave irrelevant answers to important questions, and watching this made me think, 'Many people will be disappointed again.'"