Park Ji-won: "It would end with just one apology... Yoon, can't do politics"

"Is Now the Time for a Fact-Finding Investigation... It Would End with an Apology for Inappropriateness"
"The Only Achievement Is Mrs. Kim Geon-hee's Safety, the Presidential Office's Diplomatic Line Must Be Replaced"

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's response to the controversy over the use of profanity on the 27th, saying, "He is terribly bad at politics."

Former Director Park made these remarks during an appearance on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' that day. Earlier, President Yoon had responded to a question about allegations of using profanity during an overseas trip by saying, "The truth must be clearly revealed."

Former Director Park pointed out that "Since the president hasn't been in office for long, he might have used such language," but the problem lies in how the controversy was handled rather than the president's use of profanity. He said, "Isn't President Yoon's greatest strength his frankness and honesty? If he said, 'I made a mistake, I apologize,' it would be over," adding, "Why ruin the diplomatic achievements he wants to boast about for days? He is terribly bad at politics."

Regarding President Yoon's mention of fact-finding, he said, "This is not the time for that. The president should not talk about fact-finding but focus on finance, economy, and prices."

There were also calls for urgent personnel changes in the presidential office's diplomacy and security line. Former Director Park assessed that there were no achievements in the cancellation of condolences for Queen Elizabeth II, the controversy over the unilateral announcement of the Korea-Japan summit, and the '48-second' Korea-US summit, saying, "The only achievement of this overseas trip was the safe return of First Lady Kim Keon-hee."

He said, "It is all the fault of the presidential office's diplomacy and security line and the protocol office," and insisted on replacing at least the diplomacy and security line. He specifically called for the dismissal of key officials such as Kim Tae-hyo (First Deputy Director of the National Security Office), saying, "People like Kim Tae-hyo must take responsibility."

Former Director Park concluded the interview by saying, "I heard it as 'nallimyeon' (if it flies). I earnestly ask that my ears or mouth never be searched," which is interpreted as quoting the presidential office's explanation that there was no mention of US President Biden and that the word 'nallimyeon' was misheard.

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