"Is This the Center of Han?" Empty Auditorium During Zelensky's Speech Surprises Foreign Media

Kim Young-mi PD "They asked if the speech viewing location is really centered at the National Assembly"
Contrasted with overseas countries like the US, UK, and Japan filling seats fully

Ruling and opposition party lawmakers are watching the video speech of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held on the afternoon of the 11th at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 11th, when Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, delivered a virtual speech at the Korean National Assembly, only about 50 to 60 out of the total 300 members of the National Assembly attended the auditorium where the speech was held. Some foreign journalists reportedly questioned, "Is the venue really the center of the Korean National Assembly building?"

Conflict area expert PD Kim Youngmi appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' on the 18th and, when asked about the local atmosphere regarding the domestic virtual speech, replied, "Foreign media asked a lot whether the place where the virtual speech was listened to was the center of our National Assembly building."

She continued, "I just said it was the National Assembly, but they realized that our lawmakers did not participate much in the speech," adding, "Looking at the photos, there weren't many attendees. In Germany, this was broadcast in the news. The camera kept showing that there weren't many people."

When the host asked, "You must have felt embarrassed and a bit angry," she said, "Our National Assembly still does not place great significance on the Ukraine war or find it easy to accept these things," and added, "Also, it must have been difficult given the situation devastated by the presidential election."

Earlier, President Zelensky delivered a virtual speech at the National Assembly Library's main auditorium on the 12th. It was reported that about 60 out of 300 members of the 21st National Assembly, including leaders of both ruling and opposition parties, attended.

President Zelensky giving a speech last month at the Palace of Westminster in the United Kingdom / Photo by Yonhap News

The appearance of Korean lawmakers contrasts with the atmosphere in other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU), and Japan. When President Zelensky visited the UK Parliament at the Palace of Westminster on the 8th (local time), hundreds of ruling and opposition members filled the auditorium to capacity with no empty seats.

The British public broadcaster 'BBC' reported that during the roughly 9-minute speech, some lawmakers had teary eyes or listened solemnly with uplifted expressions.

About 500 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, attended the speech at the Japanese National Diet, and after President Zelensky's speech, they gave a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, some have claimed that "Korea does not show much interest in Ukraine." On the 12th, Artyom Lukin, Professor of International Relations at Far Eastern Federal University, posted on his social media account a photo of the auditorium during the virtual speech, saying, "Among the countries where President Zelensky spoke, Korea set the record for the fewest attendees. Look at the empty seats."

He added, "President Zelensky tried to highlight that Korea also survived thanks to military support from the international community in the past and sought help, but politicians did not listen," and criticized, "This is evidence that Asia, except for Japan, has no interest in Ukraine."

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