<홍보수석> "Pelosi Protocol Handled by National Assembly... President Yoon to Talk via Phone Call"

Choi Young-beom Chief "President Yoon's Decision Not to Meet Pelosi Was a Comprehensive Consideration of National Interest"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Regarding the controversy over the presidential office's protocol snub, such as not going to greet Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, at the airport on the 4th, the office stated, "We understand that the U.S. side declined the greeting, and there was mutual understanding and coordination between both sides that our National Assembly protocol team would not greet at the airport."

They also explained that President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision not to meet Speaker Pelosi was made in prior coordination with her side.

Choi Young-beom, Chief Secretary for Public Relations, said at a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "Reports by some media that the airport greeting for Speaker Pelosi was somewhat neglected are not accurate."

Chief Secretary Choi clarified that "It is a diplomatic and protocol convention that the National Assembly, as the counterpart, is responsible for all protocol matters including airport greetings for Speaker Pelosi's visit." He emphasized that Pelosi's protocol falls under the National Assembly's domain. According to our protocol guidelines, when a foreign government official visits Korea, depending on their rank, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister, or Protocol Chief greets them at the airport, but the partner for a parliamentary figure is the National Assembly.

He continued, "Upon confirmation, the National Assembly protocol team intended to greet her at the airport, but considering the late hour and the fact that she arrived via an air force base, the U.S. side declined the greeting," he stressed.

Regarding President Yoon's decision not to meet Speaker Pelosi, Chief Secretary Choi explained, "We informed the U.S. side in advance that it was difficult to schedule a meeting due to the President's vacation schedule, and Speaker Pelosi's side fully understood the situation." President Yoon's summer vacation period is from the 1st to the 5th of this month.

He added, "However, since the head of the legislature of a major allied country was visiting, although a direct meeting was difficult, there was an exchange of opinions between the two countries suggesting that they at least exchange greetings and messages by phone, and it was coordinated for them to have a call this afternoon."

Regarding the agenda of the call, he anticipated, "They will exchange words welcoming Speaker Pelosi's Asia tour and visit to Korea, and discuss strengthening and further developing the alliance between the two countries."

When asked whether the call with Speaker Pelosi was arranged after her visit, he emphasized, "I understand that this was an intention held in mind regarding the call; it was not something suddenly arranged."

This denies interpretations that the call schedule was hastily arranged due to criticism from the ruling party that President Yoon should meet Speaker Pelosi even during his vacation.

Chief Secretary Choi responded to reporters' questions, "Even if it was coordinated in advance, not meeting the Speaker is criticized as disregarding the U.S. Congress. Moreover, is it appropriate for the President to watch a play in this situation?" by saying, "That is completely untrue. We have no reason to disregard the U.S. Congress, and since the most important (legislative) figure came, why would we snub or disregard her?" He emphasized, "The play was watched last night before Speaker Pelosi arrived in Korea."

Regarding the failure of a face-to-face meeting between President Yoon and Speaker Pelosi, and whether it was due to consideration of China, he said, "Everything was decided by comprehensively considering the national interest."

When asked about the specific meaning of the "decision made by comprehensively considering the national interest," he replied, "That was a concise statement, and the answer lies in the realm of the media."

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