Yoon's Statement Draws Mixed Reactions from Ruling Party: "Insufficient" vs. "Simple and Sincere"

Jeong Seong-guk "Regretful from Start to Finish"
Kwon Young-se "A Simple and Sincere Press Conference"

President Yoon Suk-yeol's nationwide address and press conference held the previous day have elicited mixed reactions within the People Power Party. Figures from the Chinhan (Chinhan Dong-hoon) faction criticized the president's apology for various allegations as falling short of expectations, while the Chinyun (Chin Yoon Suk-yeol) faction described it as "a humble press conference" and evaluated that if follow-up measures are implemented, it could serve as an opportunity to regain public trust.

On the 8th, People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Seong-guk evaluated on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "I watched it from beginning to end, and it was somewhat disappointing and insufficient from the public's perspective." Jeong pointed out that People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon had demanded from President Yoon a complete overhaul of the presidential office staff, a reform cabinet reshuffle, the immediate suspension of First Lady Kim Geon-hee's external activities, and the appointment of a special inspector, but the president's responses to these demands were ambiguous.

Yonhap News

Regarding President Yoon's statement in the nationwide address that, except for matters deemed necessary under diplomatic conventions or national interest activities, First Lady Kim's activities have been effectively suspended, Jeong said, "Leader Han demanded a complete suspension of First Lady Kim's activities, and that was not the answer given."

He added, "Leader Han clearly pointed out inappropriate aides referred to as the 'Kim Geon-hee line,' but the president denied the existence of such a 'First Lady line' and expressed negative remarks about that term. It is difficult to see this as acceptance in practice," he said.

Jeong also noted that the responses regarding the allegations involving political broker Myung Tae-kyun and the appointment of a special inspector were insufficient. He said, "It would have been better if the president had provided a clearer explanation about the recorded content, including his voice. Regarding the special inspector, it became an issue, and while the president said he would naturally proceed if the National Assembly agreed, it is not easy to see this as a strong expression of will." He added, "Overall, it cannot be said that Leader Han's demands were rejected, but neither can it be said they were accepted."

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jae-seop also criticized the press conference as "somewhat disappointing." On KBS Radio's Jeonggyeok Sisa, Kim said, "The president's admission of his own shortcomings and apology for various controversies are aspects that should be acknowledged," but added, "I believe the purpose of this press conference was to clarify the various allegations raised so far and to offer a sincere apology for the president's mistakes, but it did not meet the public's expectations."

Kim emphasized, "Presidential approval ratings around 20% have started to appear, meaning about 80% view the president's performance unfavorably. Moreover, since this was a press conference marking the halfway point of the term, the president should have offered a much more progressive, proactive, and aggressive apology regarding the allegations related to Myung Tae-kyun, issues concerning the First Lady, and relations with the opposition party."

On the other hand, People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se described the press conference on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' as "very candid, sincere, and humble in overall tone," praising it.

Kwon said, "If this serves as a trigger for follow-up measures, I believe the hearts of our cold public can turn around. There are already talks that the First Lady will not accompany the president on the upcoming trip. This is a concretization of what was said at the press conference, and if various follow-up measures, including personnel changes, follow, things could improve."

People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won also evaluated, "It is not easy to answer all questions from journalists and provide explanations," calling it "a session where the president did his best to explain."

Kim said on YTN Radio's 'News Fighting,' "President Yoon offered the maximum apology and explanation he could. By sincerely clarifying the controversial issues, he created a starting point or launchpad for shifting the new government policy direction." He added, "Depending on follow-up measures, the government policy direction will change, and a foundation will be laid to lead the second half of the administration stably."

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