"I am human too... Sometimes I want joy" Finnish Prime Minister upset over party controversy

"(Leaked) Everything is unrelated to this period"
Videos of parties and photos taken at the official residence leaked, sparking controversy

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin shows an emotional expression during a speech at the ruling party and her home party, the Social Democratic Party event held in Lahti on the 24th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] As controversies continued following the leak of videos showing her enjoying parties, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed her feelings, stating that politicians also need privacy.

According to foreign media including the AP News, on the 24th (local time), during a speech at an event held by the ruling party and her own Social Democratic Party in Lahti, Finland, Prime Minister Marin said, "I am also human," adding, "In these difficult times, I sometimes want joy, brightness, and fun."

She continued, "In doing so, inevitably photos or videos that I do not want to be seen publicly are involved. You would not want to see them either," and said, "However, they have been made public to all of us. This is private, joyful, and life."

She went on to say, "I want to believe that people will look at what we do at work rather than what we do in our leisure time," and stated, "I have never missed a day of work, and I will not in the future."

She also claimed, "All of these (leaked) things are irrelevant at a time when this country needs to become stronger."

During the speech, Prime Minister Marin appeared emotional and choked up, and after the speech, she reportedly received a standing ovation, according to foreign media.

Prime Minister Marin became the center of controversy last week when videos showing her enjoying parties with Finnish singers, broadcasters, and members of parliament were leaked online. At the time, suspicions arose that slang referring to drugs was heard in the videos, leading Marin to voluntarily undergo a drug test, which came back negative.

On the 23rd, inappropriate photos and videos taken by Marin's friends at the official residence were released, causing another stir. She apologized for the photos taken at the residence, saying, "The photos are inappropriate. They should not have been taken."

In December of last year, she also apologized after spending time at a nightclub with friends until 4 a.m. after having close contact with the Foreign Minister, who tested positive for COVID-19, and leaving her work phone at home.

Marin was elected leader of Finland's largest party, the Social Democratic Party, in December 2019 at the age of 34, becoming the world's youngest sitting prime minister at that time.

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