"'Yunbieocheonga' Sung at the Presidential Security Service Event... Military Personnel Also Mobilized for Talent Show"

SBS: "Presidential Security Service Event Two Years Ago Was a Birthday Party for President Yoon"
Soldiers from the 55th Security Unit Mobilized by the Security Service
Military Songs and Dances Performed, Salute Presented to the President and First Lady

Two years ago, at the 60th anniversary event of the establishment of the Presidential Security Service, a dedication song celebrating President Yoon Seok-yeol's birthday was performed, followed by the mobilization of military personnel who showcased military songs and dances. On the 20th, SBS reported, "It has been confirmed that even soldiers from the 55th Security Unit, an outer security unit of the presidential residence, were mobilized at an event styled like a birthday party for the president."

Soldiers mobilized for the 60th anniversary event of the Presidential Security Service in 2023 salute the President and the First Lady. SBS news footage

According to the video released by SBS, at the 60th anniversary event held on December 18, 2023, the soldiers performed talent shows and saluted pledging their loyalty in front of the president and first lady. The video showed dozens of soldiers dressed in black uniforms standing in formation on the stage of the presidential office auditorium.

One soldier led the singing of "Hollo Arirang" to the accompaniment, and other soldiers joined in chorus. When the stage changed, they performed military songs and dances. The soldiers altered the lyrics of the "Loyalty Song," replacing "Fatherland" with "Free Korea." After the performance, they saluted, saying, "Attention! Salute to the president and first lady! Loyalty! We pledge our loyalty!"

According to SBS, the soldiers participating in the performance were identified as members of the 55th Security Unit responsible for the outer security of the presidential residence. The 55th Security Unit belongs to the Army Capital Defense Command but is assigned to and commanded by the Presidential Security Service under the Presidential Security Act. At that time, the head of the Presidential Security Service, who had command authority over the 55th Security Unit, was former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Earlier, controversy arose when reports surfaced that the event, held on President Yoon’s birthday, featured songs with lyrics that appeared to overtly praise the president.

According to SBS, the lyrics of the "Establishment Anniversary Medley" included lines such as "845,280 precious minutes, countless days running tirelessly since inauguration," "The overflowing love you showed, your warm touch, always with those in need of love," "You who only thought of the people, thank you," and "On this meaningful day when the president sent by heaven for a new Republic of Korea was born, we all celebrate." Calculating 845,280 minutes into days equals 587 days, which, counting back from the event day, is May 10, 2022?the day President Yoon was inaugurated.

Regarding the so-called "Yun Praise Song" controversy, Kim Seong-hoon, head of the Presidential Security Service, responded, "Don’t people throw birthday parties for their friends?" and added, "That’s beyond work; it’s about the world people live in."

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