Kim Min-jeon, Moved by Passion, Says "I Will Withdraw" Amid Growing Controversy Over 'Baekgoldan' Press Conference

"Press Conference Arranged with Goodwill to Help"
"Withdrawn After Accepting Youth Side's Position"
"Voluntary Peaceful Protest... Do Not Distort as Violence"

Kim Min-jeon, a member of the People Power Party, announced the withdrawal of a press conference led by the so-called 'Ban-gong Youth Group' supporting President Yoon Seok-yeol amid ongoing controversy.

On the 9th, Kim posted an additional statement regarding the Ban-gong Youth Group controversy on his social media account. He said, "This press conference was held with the office providing the venue, and in accordance with the National Assembly Communication Center usage regulations, the lawmaker personally attended and introduced the group hosting the press conference." He added, "I was moved by the passion of several youths I met in Hannam-dong and arranged this press conference out of goodwill to support them."

On the 9th, Kim Min-jeon, a member of the People Power Party, led a press conference held by young supporters of President Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. YouTube channel 'KNN NEWS'

He continued, "However, after the press conference, many young supporters of President Yoon expressed that they voluntarily participated and did not want the gathering to be organized, and they disagreed with the name 'Ban-gong Youth Group.'" He also said, "They conveyed that the name 'Baekgol-dan' is also an expression that could give legitimacy to the left and that they do not agree with its use. Accordingly, we have actively accepted this position and decided to withdraw the press conference held today." Furthermore, he expressed regret, saying, "I am sorry for not properly understanding the views of many young supporters of President Yoon and for arranging the press conference without accurately grasping the information and background of the participants." He urged, "I want to emphasize that this incident should not become an opportunity to distort young people who want to hold voluntary peaceful protests as violent protest groups."

Earlier, on the 9th at 1 p.m., Kim led a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Seoul, introducing young supporters of President Yoon. At the time, he said, "The Baekgol-dan, who wore white helmets and held protests near the presidential residence recently, is a subordinate organization of the Ban-gong Youth Group," adding, "They will do their best to protect President Yoon and uphold the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea." A representative from the youth side also emphasized, "Deploying police special forces to attempt to arrest the sitting president is a highly dangerous act that could escalate into a civil war," and "We will do everything possible to protect President Yoon and uphold the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea."

Kim Min-jeon, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

However, as the press conference became embroiled in controversy, Kim expressed his feelings on social media. He said, "I felt heartbroken for those who spent the night in biting snowstorms," and "I was also moved by those who called for liberal democracy and transparent election verification." He explained, "Yesterday afternoon, I was contacted by youths in front of Hannam Elementary School asking the office to arrange a press conference for them," and "There was no reason to refuse a small effort for them, so I made time between the Education Committee public hearing and the plenary session to hold it today."

He added, "Just before today's press conference, I received from my staff that the name of the youth organization was Ban-gong Youth Group, so I introduced them as such." However, he lamented, "After the press conference, trouble arose. They sent a flood of messages saying they only support President Yoon, do not want the protest to be organized, and do not want the names Ban-gong Youth Group or Baekgol-dan." He also said, "On the other hand, I feel heavy-hearted that arranging the press conference with the intention of helping them a little may have made quite a few young supporters of President Yoon uncomfortable," and added, "The names Ban-gong Youth Group or Baekgol-dan are not matters for me to dictate. I believe it is an issue for the youths themselves to discuss and correct through their own deliberations."