South Korea’s opposition party demanding President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s apology: Here’s why

South Korea’s opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday slammed President Yoon Suk-yeol for disgracing the nation by allegedly making crude remarks about US politicians.

Yoon was caught on video making a remark privately to aides in New York Wednesday. He allegedly used foul language in the video as he made comments about losing face after a legislative loss, which many believed was aimed at US President Joe Biden and the US Congress, Yonhap News Agency reported. However, the recording was not clear. 

Yoon’s office rejected the claim saying that the president was referring to how he would be embarrassed if South Korea’s opposition-controlled National Assembly rejected the $100 million he pledged to contribute to the Global Fund.

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However, Lee said that Yoon’s comments made the South Korean people feel great humiliation.

“It’s a disgrace for the people, who must have felt deeply mortified and had their dignity hurt,” Lee, chair of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), during the party’s Supreme Council meeting. “I’m at a loss for words. What else can I say?”

DP floor leader Park Hong-keun urged the president to apologize over the comments. He also called for the dismissal of Yoon’s national security and public relations aides and also requested meetings of relevant parliamentary committees to uncover the truth behind the incident.

“What the presidential office offered 15 hours later was neither the truth nor a confessional apology but a false clarification,” Park said. “People online are mocking that they are considering the people as dogs and pigs, and testing their hearing.”

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Meanwhile, ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young expressed regret even if the comments were directed at the South Korean parliament and the opposition party.

“The DP is putting everything into underrating President Yoon’s overseas visit. Focusing the party’s capacity on deprecating diplomatic activities is unprecedented in the history of political parties,” Rep. Sung Il-jong, the PPP’s chief policymaker.