Public Relations Chief “I said ‘if you blow it’, not ‘Biden’,” explained
The presidential office said on the 22nd (local time) that President Yoon Seok-yeol’s “profanity” remarks were not aimed at US President Joe Biden or the US Congress.
Kim Eun-hye, senior public relations chief, said at a briefing in New York on the same day, “(in the president’s remarks) there is no reason to speak of the United States, and there is no reason to say Biden.”
After leaving the meeting room following the ‘Global Fund Financial Commitment Meeting’ hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden the day before, President Yoon seemed to be saying to Foreign Minister Park Jin and others, “If these XXs don’t approve in the National Assembly, what will Biden do?” The scene was captured on video cameras and sparked controversy.
Regarding the details of the remarks, Chief Kim said, “At this meeting, President Yoon promised to donate 100 million dollars to eradicate diseases in underdeveloped countries.” “I told Minister Park Jin that the country will not stand up if it does not fulfill its minimum obligations to the country,” he said.
“Secretary Park responded that he would persuade the opposition party to pass the budget.
Please listen once more now. The National Assembly does not approve (these XXs) and it is said to be ‘flying’.”
When asked by reporters whether the remarks were directed at the National Assembly, Kim answered “yes”.
When asked whether he was talking regarding ‘blow’ rather than ‘biden’, he reconfirmed “yes”.
Chief Kim aimed at the opposition’s offensive of ‘slang’ remarks, saying, “I always accept criticism of the president and the administration of state affairs, but falsely dividing the alliance is an act of self-harm in the national interest.
The people will know better than anyone that the national interest cannot be sacrificed for the benefit of the faction,” he said.
/yunhap news
