Yoon under fire for mixed messages
Aides offer contradictory interpretations to soften president’s hardline comments
Criticism is mounting over President Yoon Suk Yeol’s style of delivering messages, particularly in light of recent instances where he conveyed uncompromising and self-justifying statements during televised addresses. Subsequently, his aides have sought to mitigate public backlash by offering contradictory interpretations.
Political analysts warn such inconsistency is likely to breed public distrust in the government.
The latest incident occurred during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, where Yoon delivered approximately 12 minutes of remarks that were broadcast nationwide.
In his address, Yoon conveyed his humble acceptance of the public sentiment reflected in the ruling People Power Party’s (PPP) crushing defeat in last week’s general elections. However, he staunchly asserted that he has been steering the country in the right direction.
However, four hours later, a senior secretary said that during the latter part of the meeting, which was not televised, Yoon expressed remorse to Cabinet members, admitting that he was “sorry” for failing to fully acknowledge the public’s sentiment.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) condemned Yoon’s approach to delivering his message, asserting that he should have offered his apology directly to the public during the televised statement, rather than doing so behind closed doors.
“Four hours after President Yoon’s televised statement, the presidential office revealed his remarks made behind closed doors, saying that he is sorry to the public … Is this a monologue after a play ended and the audience is gone?” DPK Supreme Council member Rep. Jung Chungrae said during the party’s Supreme Council meeting, Wednesday.
Minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party Chairman Cho Kuk also said Yoon’s rhetoric was absurd.
“I also served as a presidential secretary, and the president’s statements should have started and ended by apologizing to the public,” Cho said during a YouTube appearance, Wednesday.
Cho also claimed that Yoon’s apology, quoted by the presidential office, “seems to be a lie” because “there is a strong chance that one of his aides sought approval to allude to the president’s apology, because Yoon did not say he is sorry during his speech.”
A ruling bloc official, who asked not to be named, also admitted to feeling “confused,” noting that the initial impression from Yoon’s televised message suggested confidence in his political philosophy, despite acknowledging some shortcomings in its implementation.
This is not the first time that Yoon has conveyed a hardline message in a televised setting, only to have his secretaries attempt to soften the president’s rhetoric with conflicting interpretations afterward.
During a 51-minute address to the nation on April 1, Yoon underscored his steadfast commitment to increasing the admissions quota of the country’s medical schools by 2,000 slots from next year. This announcement sparked a nationwide walkout by trainee doctors, lasting nearly two months.
As the address backfired among doctors, presidential aides, including Director of National Policy Sung Tae-yoon, emphasized that the highlight of Yoon’s message was his brief remark stating that “the government may engage in discussions with doctors regarding the slots, provided they present more rational and valid ideas.”
Experts said the main problem is a lack of coherence in the government’s communication.
“The biggest problem stemming from the difference between the president’s remarks and his aides’ interpretations is the inconsistency in the government’s message,” said Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University.
“If the government’s message is inconsistent, the public will lose trust in the government, and the government cannot carry out its policies,” Shin said.