Gominjeong: "Imperial Protocol, Incident Caused by Meeting Reporters' Demands" vs Jeon Yeok: "Poor Logic"

Gominjung "Not a unilateral action by the Ministry of Justice... Reporters should not have made such demands"
Jeon Yeok "The core issue is not the reporters' requests but the protocol of the Ministry of Justice Vice Minister"

Kang Sung-guk, Vice Minister of Justice, is being supported with an umbrella by an official kneeling behind him during a briefing on initial settlement support for special entrants from Afghanistan at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, Chungbuk, on the morning of the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Democratic Party lawmaker Go Minjung criticized the so-called 'emperor's protocol' controversy that arose during Deputy Minister of Justice Kang Seongguk's briefing on the 27th, saying, "This happened because the Ministry of Justice tried to accommodate the demands of reporters." In response, former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Jeon Yeok countered, saying, "The core issue is that the deputy minister received an emperor's protocol." Earlier, a scene was captured where an employee knelt and held an umbrella over Deputy Minister Kang during a briefing in the rain, sparking criticism that it was an excessive protocol.

On the 28th, Go lawmaker wrote on her Facebook, "According to the Ministry of Justice's explanation, 'The employee holding the umbrella behind the deputy minister is tall, so the photo and video crews probably asked them to move aside,'" adding, "From the perspective of the cameramen, they probably did it to capture the best shot, but in unavoidable cases like this, such requests should not have been made."

She continued, "We need to question why it is unacceptable for faces other than the briefer to appear on screen," and "Even if they exist, their existence should be acknowledged, and they should not be treated as 'ghost humans' who must not be seen."

She also criticized media reporting practices. Go said, "Looking at the situation at the time, one can read the decision-making process of the reporters wanting to capture good footage and the Ministry of Justice wanting to finish the briefing," and asked, "Why are so many articles produced that blame the Ministry of Justice's unilateral actions when this happened because they tried to meet the reporters' demands?"

She pointed out, "The briefing was about the necessary support for Afghan collaborators and their families who escaped death, but due to indiscriminate coverage quoting opposition party comments, in the end, only the photo of the 'emperor's protocol' with the umbrella remains."

Ko Min-jung, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, former lawmaker Jeon wrote on Facebook the next day (29th), "The core issue is not the reporters' request to 'bow a little,' but the Ministry of Justice deputy minister's emperor's protocol," rebutting the claim.

Jeon said, "Deputy Minister Kang turned around to check the 'umbrella tribute.' And the Ministry of Justice official, who was pointed out as the 'bad hand,' designated the umbrella's height," adding sharply, "Go lawmaker learned politics very foolishly. I hope she at least keeps common sense."

He continued, "I believe Go lawmaker deliberately ignored the signal to 'please stay quiet.' She is pretending not to understand," and claimed, "With nothing else to do and her presence collapsing, she wants to show 'excessive loyalty.'"

He also said, "The badge Go lawmaker wears is a shabby 'camp logic' red armband that she shouts in unnecessarily long and messy sentences," and criticized, "Before arguing about the Media Arbitration Act, she should first self-punish for the fake news about bringing in 44 million vaccines."

Jeon Yeo-ok, former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 27th, Deputy Minister Kang announced initial support measures for special contributors and their families who arrived in Korea on a military transport plane from Afghanistan and entered the temporary accommodation facility at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, Chungbuk.

At the briefing site, heavy rain was pouring. At that time, an employee was captured on camera kneeling behind Deputy Minister Kang and holding an umbrella over him.

After the photo spread on online communities and social networking services (SNS), some criticized it as excessive or emperor's protocol. Opposition presidential candidates also criticized it. Former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin, a People Power Party presidential candidate, said at the time, "Isn't that employee holding the umbrella also a public servant paid by taxpayers?" and "This is not the Joseon Dynasty; the deputy minister should reflect."

As the controversy grew, Deputy Minister Kang issued a statement around 5:30 p.m. that day and officially apologized. Kang said, "Today's briefing on the arrival of special contributors was held in heavy rain," and "I apologize deeply to the public for not recognizing the hidden efforts of our staff who spared no effort to ensure a solemn and efficient briefing, regardless of the reason."

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