Presidential Office: "Verbal Dispute Between MBC Reporter and Secretary... Viewing It Very Seriously"

Installation of Partition Wall on 1st Floor: "Opinion That Exposing All Situations Is Not Desirable... Not Related to Controversy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Presidential Office stated on the 18th that it "views the matter very seriously" regarding the verbal altercation between Presidential Office aides and an MBC reporter during President Yoon Seok-yeol's commute. However, concerning the installation of a partition wall in the doorstepping area, it clarified, "There is an opinion that being exposed to all situations is not desirable, so I understand that a partition wall is being installed," drawing a clear line from linking it to the recent controversy.

A Presidential Office official met with reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 20th and said, "The press is present in an important position of national governance on behalf of the people, and the President has been making efforts to explain sincerely. Unfortunately, an unpleasant incident occurred last Friday in such a setting." He added, "There is no specific decision yet on how to resolve this issue, including preventing recurrence in doorstepping (morning Q&A). If there is anything to share, we will inform you later."

Regarding the installation of a partition wall at the first-floor entrance of the office building where doorstepping takes place, he responded, "I do not think it is directly related to the recent controversy." He elaborated, "There are parts, such as diplomatic matters, where the President's private schedule is necessary. Since there is an opinion that being exposed to all situations is not desirable, I understand that a partition wall is being installed."

Earlier, on the 18th, President Yoon made a pointed remark about excluding MBC from boarding the presidential plane during his Southeast Asia tour, saying, "It was because they showed a very malicious behavior trying to sow discord with fake news that is different from the facts about the alliance, which is a core pillar of national security." President Yoon especially mentioned "upholding the Constitution," stating, "It was an unavoidable measure." He also emphasized, "Freedom of the press is important, but the responsibility of the press is very important from the perspective of being a pillar supporting democracy." When an MBC reporter repeatedly asked, "What was distorted?" President Yoon turned away without answering. During this process, a Presidential Office aide criticized the reporter's attitude toward follow-up questions, causing a commotion.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office criticized opposition lawmakers' attendance at the regime resignation rally this weekend, saying, "Claims that shake the constitutional order do not help anyone," and pointed out, "It is not desirable for lawmakers, who are constitutional institutions, to sympathize with claims that shake the constitutional order."

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