Democratic Party: "Yoon, who couldn't pay respects, why did he go to the UK... 'Diplomatic fiasco' continues"

Ya "Yoon couple canceled condolence visit to the Queen of England using traffic control as an excuse... Why did they go to the UK?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea criticized on the 19th the cancellation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife’s condolence schedule for Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, asking, "Why on earth did they go to the UK?"

Earlier, after arriving in London, UK, the day before, President Yoon was coordinating his schedule to visit Westminster Hall, where Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was placed, to sign the condolence book and pay respects. However, the plan was postponed by a day due to worsening traffic conditions in London.

Unlike President Yoon, most major world leaders completed signing the condolence book on the 18th. The opposition party criticized the presidential office for causing controversy by not carefully coordinating the schedule amid the expected large crowds.

Democratic Party senior spokesperson Ahn Ho-young said in a briefing at the National Assembly communication office that day, "The presidential office emphasized 'condolence diplomacy' as part of the purpose of this trip to 'expand the foundation of economic diplomacy,'" adding, "However, they canceled the condolence visit citing traffic control as an excuse."

Spokesperson Ahn said, "Not only G7 leaders such as US President Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, but also Israeli President Herzog and his wife, who are not from the Commonwealth, paid their respects as state guests," and "French President Macron and his wife, who joined the line of ordinary citizens, waited for a long time before completing their condolence visit."

Ahn questioned, "Why is it possible for other world leaders but not for the President of the Republic of Korea?" and added, "It should be clearly revealed whether the President and his wife voluntarily canceled the condolence visit or if the condolence was refused due to an uncoordinated visit."

He continued, "It has only been four months since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration began, yet 'diplomatic disasters' continue," and criticized, "We are seriously concerned that this trip might become a 'fruitless trip' that was poorly planned from the start."

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