Regarding the controversy surrounding Mrs. Kim Keon-hee, President Yoon Suk-yeol described it as “indiscreet behavior” but actively defended various private calls and messages.
He mentioned that they might need to have more marital discussions in the future. He added that, although he is not trying to make excuses for his wife, it is about objectively discerning right from wrong based on the context they understand.
President Yoon explained that during the initial period of joining the People Power Party, his phone number was made public, leading to numerous messages. Mrs. Kim replied to each message to express gratitude.
He recounted coming home exhausted, only to find his wife replying to messages on his phone overnight. Mrs. Kim believed they needed to acknowledge and respond to their supporters, which she viewed as an essential part of election campaigning.
President Yoon noted that Mrs. Kim’s thoughtful nature comes from not forgetting any help they receive, which led to the situation, claiming he didn’t foresee the indiscriminate exposure and takes full responsibility.
He acknowledged the need to change how they communicate and explained they didn’t switch phones used before his presidency to stay connected to the public sentiment.
Despite the controversy, he stated they took steps to manage it and announced the appointment of the director for the second couple’s office, with plans to hire staff, aiming to reduce risks. However, he clarified that Mrs. Kim would not halt her external activities unless they deemed them unnecessary for national interest or similar reasons.