Park Juseon "Using BTS Inauguration Invitation Review as Political Event? ... Cannot Understand"

"BTS cheukgwa jikjeop yeonrakhan il eopseo"
"Chwimiksik geotchireman hwaryeohage hal ge anira geomsohage chireojil geos"
"Mumyeonggasu, eorin-i, Cheongnyeondeuri chamyeohae gongyeon pyeolchilgeos"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Joo-sun, chairman of the presidential inauguration preparation committee, expressed his reaction of "I cannot understand" regarding the controversy over BTS attending President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony on the 12th.

On the same day, Chairman Park explained on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that BTS's attendance at the inauguration was only discussed as an internal idea and that no invitation was requested. He said, "Cancellation means deciding to invite and then deciding not to invite, but it was only reviewed internally within the inauguration committee as an idea, and there was no direct contact with BTS." He added, "The media jumped ahead too much and caused some confusion."

Chairman Park expressed dissatisfaction with fans' backlash over BTS attending the inauguration. He said, "BTS fan clubs are asking why BTS is invited to a political event and whether they are being used, but that is a misunderstanding of the presidential inauguration event." He explained, "The presidential inauguration event is a legally defined event by the state according to the Presidential Transition Act. It is not a political event affiliated with any party or faction." He continued, "It is hard to understand the slander that tries to belittle this as a political event and claim BTS was politically exploited."

Chairman Park raised his voice, saying, "Criticism should be made with legitimate claims, not by saying that inviting BTS on a national holiday is political exploitation." He also did not hide the issue of cost burden related to BTS's invitation. Park said, "Since BTS is a global idol star, they should be treated fairly and appropriately." He added, "There was that issue, and the president-elect also instructed that the inauguration event should not be flashy and extravagant but modest, simple, and substantial. So internally, it was decided that unknown, unsigned stars, children, youth, and marginalized groups would participate in performances and programs, which would contribute greatly to national unity."

Meanwhile, regarding President-elect Yoon's cabinet formation, Chairman Park said, "They said they selected based on ability, qualifications, and experience, and looking at the lineup, I agree with that and think the appointments are well done." He added, "Some say there is discrimination because no one from a certain region was appointed, but only 8 out of 18 ministers have been announced so far, so let's wait and see." Chairman Park said, "The final goal of those (minister candidates) is to work for balanced regional development and regional integration, so judging regional discrimination based on whether there are appointees from a specific region is premature."

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