Yoon President-elect's Team Responds to Criticism of 'Korea-US Policy Consultation Group Snub' as "Activities Commensurate with President-elect Status"

President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol attends the '2022 Korean Church Easter Joint Worship Service' held at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul on the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Yoon Suk-yeol transition team responded to the recent ruling by the Democratic Party of Korea that the U.S. policy consultation delegation's visit to the U.S. was met with a "cold shoulder" because they failed to meet U.S. President Joe Biden, stating that "the delegation dispatched in the capacity of the president-elect conducted appropriate activities."

On the 18th, Bae Hyun-jin, spokesperson for the president-elect, said at a regular briefing held at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "It is not true that they were given the cold shoulder," adding, "This was not a special envoy sent as the president, but a U.S.-Korea policy consultation delegation sent in the capacity of the president-elect, and they met with corresponding White House officials, engaged in important discussions, and delivered a letter."

He continued, "In fact, the delegation was supposed to hold a briefing in front of the press immediately upon return, but the head of the delegation, Park Jin, tested positive for COVID-19, causing a slight delay," and added, "They will schedule a briefing soon and provide an accurate report."

Earlier, Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol transition team's U.S. policy consultation delegation for failing to meet President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their visit to the U.S., calling it "an absurd diplomatic fiasco considering South Korea's international stature."

When asked about where the welcoming event for President Biden's upcoming visit to Korea next month would be held, spokesperson Bae said, "The task force for the office relocation will soon announce plans regarding the reception of domestic and foreign guests, the press room, and other office arrangements."

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