President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol attended the commemoration ceremony for the victims of the 74th anniversary of the 4·3 on the 3rd and arrived later than the start of the event and was dazzled. The process of rushing in while the siren sounded in silence for the victims at the scene was broadcast live across the country.
The president-elect Yoon’s side explained that although it was apologetic, it was because he was having a conversation with the representative of the bereaved family, and that he had delayed the Prime Minister’s announcement in the morning and attended.
Yun Seok-yeol did not arrive in time for the start of the event at 10 am in front of the memorial service in Jeju April 3 Peace Park, where the memorial service was held on the 3rd. At 10 o’clock, he showed up in the guest seat only 30-40 seconds following the siren sounded in unison.
Jeju’s local media, Voice of Jeju, said in an article on the 3rd, “It was a tease of jade that President-elect Yoon arrived late at the memorial service. ” he pointed out.
In addition, there were also photo articles such as ‘The guests who did not arrive in time for the start of the Jeju April 3 Victims’ (Edaily). The title of the photo article, ‘Vacant seats for guests who were late for the memorial service for the late 4·3 victims of Yun Seok-yeol’ (No Cut News) was revised to ‘Participants in silent tribute to the 4·3 victims’, raising questions regarding the background.
Since then, voices of criticism from netizens have emerged online. Some Facebook users commented, “It didn’t disappoint us, and we arrived late during the ceremony. They have no sincerity and lack of consciousness, so they seem to have a purpose” (James James), “I can’t even meet the time for the 4.3 commemoration ceremony…Can North Korea preemptively strike?” (Applause), “The basics of attendance are not to be late. I thought that it was the common sense of society that employees who are habitually late for work have low work ability, but I guess I got it wrong” (Mr. Kang).
In this regard, Yoon Seok-yeol’s side came forward to explain. At a daily briefing held at the press conference hall on the 1st floor of the Presidential Transition Committee in Toongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th, spokesperson Kim Eun-hye of the elected Yoon Eun-hye said, “In the area, President-elect Yoon was late when he went to the 4·3 memorial service yesterday, and he did not remain silent when the siren sounded in the middle. In response to a question by OhmyNews reporter Kwak Woo-shin asking for his position on this, he said, “I know that Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom, the representative of the bereaved family, and the representative of the bereaved family entered the venue while we arrived.” I am sorry to say that, but it is important not to miss the words of the representatives of the bereaved family.”
Spokesperson Kim said, “I believe in the power of history that has moved from the tragedy related to the 4·3 to peace. I mentioned that it is the natural duty of a liberal democracy that pursues universal values of freedom and human rights to spread the values of peace and human rights, and to warmly care for innocent victims and share the pain. ” he said. In particular, Spokesperson Kim said, “The announcement of the appointment of the prime minister was scheduled on Sunday morning. The president-elect will make every effort to make Jeju an island of peace and coexistence, both in name and reality.”
![▲President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom enter the 74th anniversary of the Jeju April 3 Victims Memorial Ceremony held at the April 3 Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju-si on the morning of the 3rd. [제주도사진기자회] ⓒYonhap News](https://cdn.mediatoday.co.kr/news/photo/202204/303327_409506_632.jpg)
Regarding the remark that spokesperson Kim made the announcement of the prime minister in the morning, but postponed it and said that he might not attend the 4 3 commemoration ceremony, he had already briefed the prior schedule on the 1st and announced that he would attend the 4 3 commemoration ceremony. It is questionable whether it is comparable to He had already declared to the public to attend two days in advance, in that it is not possible to postpone this schedule and replace it with another schedule.
At a briefing on the 30th of last month, spokesperson Kim said, ‘Is the elected person going to Jeju on April 3rd? To a reporter’s question, ‘He said he was going to be a candidate while he was a candidate,’ he replied, “The president-elect related to the April 3 protest has said something regarding it at the time of the election,” and “I have not forgotten the promise I made at that time.” Then, two days later, at a briefing on the 1st, spokesperson Kim said, “I will tell you regarding the weekend schedule in advance,” and said, “I have decided to attend the 74th anniversary of the 4·3 victims.” Spokesperson Kim said, “Reporter Mr. Kim asked if he would attend the April 3 commemoration ceremony at Haeoreum Village in Gangjeong, and he said he would. It has been emphasized several times that it is the right and duty to honor, commemorate, and warmly care for the souls of the innocent victims of their deaths. I will go up that Jeju road,” he asserted.
