청와대, Criticism on Son's Reply Typing Met with "Pope's Letter Also Typed" (Update)

President Moon, Controversy Over Typing Reply to Son of North Korean Shooting Victim... Blue House "Typing and Electronic Signing Also Done for Presidential Letters from Foreign Leaders"

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kim Dong-pyo] The Blue House expressed difficulty in understanding the criticism that President Moon Jae-in's reply letter to the son of the government official killed by North Korea's shooting was typed rather than handwritten. They explained that not only letters sent to foreign heads of state but also letters from Pope Francis were typed.

Spokesperson Kang Min-seok said at a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the 14th, "The opposition party and some media are raising issues about the fact that the letter President Moon sent to the son of the shot government official was typed," adding, "I do not understand why typing is a matter of controversy."

Spokesperson Kang explained, "The president’s letters are first written by hand. The content that the president writes directly on a memo pad is then typed by the secretariat and electronically signed," adding, "The same applies to letters sent to foreign heads of state. They are typed and electronically signed."

In particular, Kang emphasized, "Not only letters from heads of state but also letters from Bill Gates, whom we briefed you about, or Bono from the group U2, and letters containing oral messages from Pope Francis were also typed."

A key Blue House official said regarding the background of sending letters typed rather than handwritten, "Other countries do the same. It can be seen as a way to maintain official protocol."

The key Blue House official said, "The content of the letter is what matters. I do not think the envelope or handwriting is important," adding, "President Moon said he received the letter with a heavy heart and sincerely offered his condolences." The official added, "The president also said he would personally take care of it. I want to emphasize that he replied with heartfelt feelings to a young high school student."