[Q&A] Presidential Office: "Yoon-Han 2 Hours 37 Minutes Meeting Focused Only on Livelihood Issues... No Mention of Kim Yeo-sa"

Yoon Hosts Korean Guests for 2 Hours 37 Minutes Lunch and Talk
No Discussion on Kim Geon-hee's Allegations Response

The Presidential Office stated on the 29th that during the luncheon meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 29th between President Yoon Suk-yeol, People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, and Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok, "the discussion mainly focused on livelihood issues, and there was no mention whatsoever of the allegations regarding First Lady Kim Geon-hee's luxury handbag."

A Presidential Office official said during a back briefing held at the open lounge in front of the press room at 5:15 p.m. that day, "The conversation continued on topics related to daily conveniences such as housing, finance, and transportation, which were the themes of the livelihood discussion forum," adding, "We talked extensively on each topic, so it took a long time."

According to the Presidential Office, Chairman Han arrived at the luncheon venue around 11:50 a.m., and Floor Leader Yoon arrived 2 to 3 minutes later. They exchanged greetings with Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Han Oh-seop and Senior Secretary for Public Relations Lee Do-woon, who were waiting in advance, and at 12:00 p.m., President Yoon arrived at the luncheon venue. After shaking hands with Chairman Han and Floor Leader Yoon respectively, President Yoon asked Chairman Han, "Is this your first time in this room?" When Chairman Han replied, "Yes," President Yoon said, "Please come this way."

President Yoon Seok-yeol and Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon having a conversation while looking out the window.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon gave a detailed explanation about the view outside the window and then sat down to continue the livelihood conversation with Chairman Han. A Presidential Office official explained, "There were topics on housing, finance, and semiconductors, but we also discussed transportation issues related to daily conveniences," adding, "For example, regarding 'railroad undergrounding,' since railroads are large, in some local areas the east and west are disconnected, but even if the entire section is not undergrounded, undergrounding just 1 km could improve connectivity."

After finishing the meal and conversation, President Yoon moved to his office around 2 p.m. to continue informal talks on livelihood-related topics. The Presidential Office official reiterated, "The informal talks also continued on livelihood issues," and emphasized, "There was no mention of First Lady Kim Geon-hee, the Itaewon Special Act, or nomination issues."

Below is a Q&A session.

- You mentioned that you talked about livelihood issues for two hours. What was discussed during the 37-minute informal talk that followed?

▲ The informal talk continued in the same context, and no specific topics were disclosed.

- Was it an extension of the discussions from the livelihood forum?

▲ It was mostly that kind of conversation.

- Floor Leader Yoon also mentioned this, but was there absolutely no mention of the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee's luxury handbag during today's meeting?

▲ There was no mention.

- Why were Emergency Response Committee members, including Kim Kyung-yul, not invited?

▲ I recall that only Chairman In Yo-han attended the last meal with the Innovation Committee Chairman. Overall, it does not seem like the atmosphere is right to expand the gathering now. I think there will be such opportunities someday, but today it was deemed appropriate to invite only the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and the Floor Leader.

- Were you aware that the two party floor leaders would be having lunch together on Monday when you extended the invitation?

▲ I don't know about that. I have never heard of it.

- Since the meeting lasted 157 minutes, and there were attendees, was there any time when Chairman Han and the two of you talked alone even briefly?

▲ When we were by the window, some attendees were apart, but the content of the conversation was all heard.

- The issue of responding to First Lady Kim's handbag controversy seems to be the most contentious. Was it avoided because it is sensitive?

▲ There was no such mention at all.

- Was there any talk about a press conference, interview, or veto related to the future response to First Lady Kim?

▲ I don't think there was any related conversation.

- Although the allegations against First Lady Kim were not discussed, are close discussions ongoing between the party and government regarding the response? Outside of the luncheon, are there any adjustments or decisions being made?

▲ I don't have anything special to mention about the current issues between the party and government.

President Yoon Suk-yeol holds a luncheon meeting with the People Power Party leadership, including Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

- The President made a request today; did Chairman Han respond specifically?

▲ We issued a written briefing containing that, and if there was anything worth introducing, Floor Leader Yoon would have introduced it during the briefing. Since he did not, I guess there was nothing special to introduce.

- There is a view that the People Power Party's support base is divided due to the conflict between Yoon and Han.

▲ We invited the Innovation Committee Chairman for a meal last time. It is customary and necessary communication for party leadership to have meals and talk when leadership changes. The luncheon event was held in that context.

- There was a report that a lawsuit is being considered regarding the subtitle "Raise the Cabbage."

▲ There seem to be various aspects to consider. The media conducts coverage and reports to communicate with the public, but mistakes can happen, and sometimes the facts differ. When it crosses a line, responding is a way to prevent the same mistakes, I think.

- The Itaewon disaster special law is scheduled to be submitted at tomorrow's regular Cabinet meeting. Please share the Presidential Office's position. The bereaved families are reportedly coming here now; is there a willingness to meet with them?

▲ Regarding the Itaewon Special Act, the ruling party has a position from their party meeting, and the government is gathering its stance, so I believe the position will be announced at an appropriate time, and the government is also reviewing follow-up measures. The government's position is to compensate and support the victims and bereaved families as much as the law allows. I think the government also has a stance to proactively consider follow-up measures desired by the bereaved families. The issues with the law itself will likely be reviewed again through the ruling party's meeting, expert discussions, and the government's position.

- Do you think the party-government conflict has been resolved with today's luncheon?

▲ The party and government always communicate, sufficiently confirm each other's intentions, as they have done before and will continue to do so in the future.

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