Lee Cheol-hee "Moon, Awkward About Criticizing Biden, So Casually Touched on It"... Kim Ki-hyun "Really Can't Understand What He's Saying"

Lee Cheol-hee "Biden Criticism Puts President in Awkward Position"
Kim Ki-hyun "Not Malicious, But Did Make Some Sharp Remarks" Heated Exchange

President Moon Jae-in is greeting Kim Ki-hyun, the Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party (second from the right), and other party leaders at a luncheon meeting held at the Blue House on the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Ki-hyun, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, engaged in a verbal exchange with Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, regarding President Moon Jae-in’s statement that he 'lightly tapped my arm' during a luncheon meeting at the Blue House on the 26th.

On the 27th, in a media interview, Acting Leader Kim said, "President Moon said, 'They treated me well in the U.S.,' so I replied, 'President Biden usually praises the other party and then pulls back,' and President Moon lightly tapped my right arm with his left hand."

Regarding this, Senior Secretary Lee appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Jong-dae’s News Up' in the afternoon and explained that Acting Leader Kim’s remarks, which criticized the U.S. president, put President Moon in an awkward position.

Senior Secretary Lee explained, "(Acting Leader Kim) compared President Trump and President Biden. Trump is someone whose public persona matches his behind-the-scenes actions, but Biden smiles on the surface while securing many benefits behind the scenes," adding, "Watching President Moon’s expression at the time, he looked quite uncomfortable."

He continued, "You cannot simply agree with disparaging the U.S. president, who is considered the number one leader in the world, nor can you ignore it when the leader of the main opposition party says such things," adding, "It seemed like a very awkward expression, and he lightly touched the arm as a gesture to say 'let’s stop here.'" Then he said, "I was right there, and he did not tap lightly. He smiled brightly and gently touched the sleeve."

Kim Ki-hyun, Acting President and Floor Leader of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Acting Leader Kim retorted, "Is it possible that a Senior Secretary for Political Affairs cannot even understand the meaning behind the opposition leader’s words?"

On the 28th, Acting Leader Kim appeared on KBS Radio’s 'Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs' and explained that his intention was, "Because President Biden is a very experienced diplomat, he may say nice things upfront but quietly secure practical benefits behind the scenes, so we should not be complacent just because he is treated politely," adding, "It was absurd to say that I disparaged President Biden."

He further explained the situation, saying, "It is true that President Moon lightly tapped my arm, but there was no malicious intent," and, "(The reports) portrayed it as if I fiercely condemned him without regard, but that occasion was not for condemnation; it was a time to have a cup of tea."

He then criticized Senior Secretary Lee, saying, "After watching his interview, he seemed to imply, 'Then can you meet (the president) again?'" and added, "If those who serve the president think of cutting off relations with people who speak frankly to the president, then the president will only continue to talk with those who say nice things."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.