Regarding Questions on Kim Geon-hee and Myeong Tae-gyun... Yoon Says, "We Might Need to Have Many Marital Fights"

Yoon's 140-Minute Press Conference: What Was Different?
"Lacked Substance" vs "Candid"
"Everything Is My Fault" Apology
15-Minute Statement, About 2 Hours Q&A
Maintains Previous Stance on Special Prosecutor Law and Others

President Yoon Suk-yeol is answering additional questions from the press at the end of the 'National Address and Press Conference' held on the morning of the 7th at the briefing room of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol's national address and press conference on the 7th showed some differences in format and tone compared to previous occasions. However, in terms of content, such as the special investigation law concerning First Lady Kim Geon-hee, various suspicions surrounding Myung Tae-gyun, and personnel reshuffles, his stance remained similar to before. The Q&A session lasted over two hours, with questions from a total of 26 media outlets. Compared to before, the Q&A time increased, but it did not reach the initially expected 'final debate.'

During the address and press conference held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon significantly reduced the length of his statement and greatly increased the proportion of the Q&A session to focus on resolving the public's questions. The national address began at 10 a.m. and lasted about 15 minutes. This was shorter than the 42-minute government briefing on August 29 and the 22-minute press conference on his second inauguration anniversary on May 9.

As the Q&A time lengthened, President Yoon began the press conference seated. In the early part of the address, he stood up, moved beside the podium, and bowed his head. President Yoon said, "My sincere heart has always been with the people," but also admitted, "I caused concern to the public due to matters around me." He apologized, saying, "Everything is my fault and a result of my lack of virtue."

The Q&A session lasted 125 minutes. On that day, President Yoon received a total of 26 questions. Considering that the August press conference had a large portion of remarks on the four major reforms (medical care, pensions, labor, education) and government achievements, which sparked controversy over self-praise, this time the focus was on clarifying suspicions surrounding First Lady Kim Geon-hee and Myung Tae-gyun.

There were also several spontaneous remarks during the Q&A. When asked about measures regarding First Lady Kim's contacts with unclear figures such as Pastor Choi Jae-young and Myung Tae-gyun, contrary to her promise to focus solely on supporting her husband after his election, President Yoon said, "I think we will have to have many marital quarrels going forward."

President Yoon also recalled, "After meeting people all day and going here and there, I would come home exhausted, collapse, and sleep, but (First Lady Kim) would stay up until 5 or 6 a.m., lying down and continuously checking my phone and replying." He added, "When I asked her, 'Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing?' she replied, 'I have to respond properly to those who support us, saying things like thank you or that I will take good care of you. They are also voters.'"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a "National Address and Press Conference" on the morning of the 7th at the briefing room of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

However, President Yoon's overall stance on various suspicions did not significantly deviate from previous explanations by the presidential office. Regarding the special investigation law on First Lady Kim, he said, "Whether to conduct a special investigation is decided by the National Assembly, and there is no country that appoints a de facto special investigator and forms a vast investigative team," indicating he would continue to exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto) in the future.

On the suspicion of interference in the nomination of former lawmaker Kim Young-sun, which arose from the release of a recorded phone call with Myung Tae-gyun, he stated, "There was nothing inappropriate done, and there is nothing to hide." When asked about personnel reshuffles in the presidential office and cabinet, demanded by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, he only responded, "We are currently searching and verifying talent pools to show a renewed image through personnel changes at an appropriate time."

Although the Q&A lasted about 2 hours and 5 minutes, it did not extend to a 'final debate' continuing until no more questions remained. Early in the press conference, President Yoon showed willingness by asking, "Is there anything else you are curious about?" after answering questions, but later in the session, he appeared tired, saying, "Let's do just one more, my throat hurts." Spokesperson Jung Hye-jeon, who moderated the session, asked for understanding, saying, "Due to time constraints, we could not give everyone a chance." The address and press conference lasted a total of 140 minutes.

Attention is focused on whether public opinion toward President Yoon will reverse after the press conference. In May, according to Gallup Korea, the president's approval rating remained largely unchanged at 24% before and after the press conference, and around the August press conference, it actually dropped from 27% (4th week of August) to 23% (1st week of September). Inside the presidential office, there is hope that President Yoon's approval rating will rebound to the 20% range after the press conference, but voices expressing skepticism about an easy recovery are also strong.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters after the press conference, "It's a bit early to comment as I haven't seen the details of the (address)," but added, "From what I have heard, it does not seem like content that our people would readily agree with." Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, evaluated it as "an apology without substance, petty excuses, and overflowing with hopeless arrogance and dogmatism." On the other hand, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, issued a statement saying, "I believe the president spoke sincerely and candidly about various national issues as the person responsible for the state."