Prime Minister Kim Minseok: "It Is Inevitable for the President to Take on Multiple Roles... Unfortunate That Even This Becomes Controversial"

President Lee and First Lady Appear on "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" Amid Opposition Criticism
"TV Shows Play a Major Role in Promoting K-Food Globally"

As criticism from the opposition continues over the television variety show appearance by President Lee Jaemyung and his spouse, Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated, "It is unfortunate that even such matters become a source of controversy."

Kim Minseok Prime Minister.

On October 7, Prime Minister Kim wrote on Facebook, "It is inevitable for the president to take on multiple roles simultaneously," emphasizing, "While handling the Korea-US trade negotiations, overseeing the restoration of the government’s computer network, and delivering Chuseok greetings all at once, the president is also serving as an ambassador for the globalization of K-Food through scheduled television appearances."

He continued, "This is the duty of the president, who must do his best in every moment and every matter of state affairs," adding, "It is regrettable that even such activities become a point of contention."

Prime Minister Kim shared that he watched the JTBC variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," featuring President Lee and his spouse the previous day. He said, "Cooking programs on television play a significant role in promoting K-Food, which is at the core of Korean culture, to the world," and explained, "This episode was produced under the theme of 'K-Food and ingredients we want to introduce to the world,' and was released on Netflix so that viewers around the globe could watch it. That is why the president and first lady participated."

Additionally, Prime Minister Kim noted, "There are now only three weeks left until the APEC Summit in Gyeongju," and added, "We should further discuss with our creative chefs ways to offer K-Food, filled with interesting stories and flavors, to the leaders of each country."