Yoon's Halt on Doorstepping Praised by Ruling Party as "Good Decision," Criticized by Opposition as "Presidential Sanctuary?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Naju-seok] Regarding the Presidential Office's decision on the 21st to halt President Yoon Seok-yeol's doorstepping, the ruling party praised it as a "well-made decision," while the opposition criticized it, asking, "Is the president a sanctuary?"

Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu Mayor and senior advisor of the People Power Party, said through his social network service (SNS) on the same day, "Although it is somewhat belated, it is a very good decision," adding, "It started with confidence in the president's ability to govern, but it was inappropriate for the president, who makes the final decision, to announce conclusions in advance every day."

Mayor Hong said, "I understand the president's intention to get closer to the people, but he should also know that there are many people anxiously watching every day," and added, "The president's words should carry the weight of a mountain."

Kim Ki-hyun, a leading candidate for party leadership, also stated on SNS, "Doorstepping, which no previous president has attempted for open communication with the people, has been suspended as of today due to malicious disruptions by some underqualified media, despite its original intent. It was an unavoidable measure," adding, "Screaming at unprecedented levels and slipper rampages have polluted the communication channel with the president like a cesspool, yet there have been no apologies, no accountability, and no promises to prevent recurrence. This is not freedom but license."

He continued, "Normal communication with the public and journalists must continue," and said, "This is an opportunity to find a more efficient and productive communication method suited to our media environment."

The opposition launched sharp criticism. Go Min-jung, a senior member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the party's highest council meeting that day, "The president seems very angry. He said he would install partitions, and now he says doorstepping will be stopped," adding, "I didn't know the president's position was such a sanctuary."

The Democratic Party plans to hold a briefing on media suppression at 2 p.m. that day and is expected to issue further criticism. Spokesperson Park Sung-joong told reporters immediately after the highest council meeting, "Ultimately, this is media taming," adding, "Conflicts with the media continue, and although they talk about communication, openness, and freedom, isn't this revealing a closed and uncommunicative view of the media?"

Senior spokesperson Ahn Ho-young of the Democratic Party also said in a briefing, "Is asking uncomfortable questions to the president an unfortunate incident? Is talking about measures to prevent recurrence telling reporters not to question the president's words?" adding, "It is a very authoritarian idea and a petty response."

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