Red Cross President: "Only People with Dark Faces Gathered"... President Lee Orders Inspection

"Serious Anti-Social Behavior... Instructing All Ministries to Establish Concrete Eradication Measures"

President Lee Jaemyung has sternly reprimanded Kim Cheolsu, President of the Korean Red Cross, who is suspected of making racist remarks and actions toward foreign ambassadors, and has ordered the Ministry of Health and Welfare to conduct an inspection.

President Lee Jae-myung, who visited the National Assembly for the policy speech, is speaking during a conversation with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and others in the Speaker's Reception Room on November 4, 2025. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

Kim Namjun, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, told reporters on the 7th, "President Lee has sternly reprimanded the President of the Red Cross regarding reports that he made racist remarks and actions toward foreign ambassadors from countries such as Angola, India, the Czech Republic, and Sri Lanka, and has instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare to carry out an inspection."

Spokesperson Kim added, "President Lee has instructed all ministries to establish concrete measures to eradicate all forms of discrimination and hate, including those based on race, ethnicity, nationality, or region, emphasizing that such acts are serious anti-social behaviors that undermine the national community."

According to JTBC, Kim Cheolsu made a series of racist remarks while talking with staff after the Korean Red Cross gala show held at a hotel in Seoul in November 2023, saying, "All the foreign ambassadors who gathered were insignificant people," and "It looked like only people with dark faces had gathered." Ambassadors and their spouses from seven countries, including Angola, India, the Czech Republic, and Sri Lanka, attended the gala show.

Furthermore, Kim Cheolsu reportedly said, "When you hold a gala or any event, don't just gather people with dark faces; bring in some white people," and instructed that from the following year, ambassadors from the United States and Europe must be invited. In fact, in 2024, the Korean Red Cross sent invitations only to 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

After the report was released, Kim Cheolsu posted on the internal bulletin board, "There is no justification for my remarks under any circumstances," and added, "I bow my head in apology."