hankyoreh

President Yoon Suk-yeol listens to a question from a member of the press during a news conference held at the presidential office in Yongsan to mark his 100th day in office on Aug. 17. (presidential office pool photo)

In a press conference marking his 100th day in office on Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that “when it comes to government operations, the people are the most important thing.”

He also said that he planned to “continue making even greater efforts in the future.”

But critics called the remarks “hollow,” noting that he avoided giving answers or sharing concrete solutions on pressing matters in domestic politics, foreign affairs and national security.

In opening remarks at a press conference held at his presidential office in Seoul’s Yongsan District that day, Yoon spent 20 minutes listing his achievements over the past 100 days.

“I’ve had the support of the public, and I’ve also heard some harsh rebukes,” he said.

“I plan to focus first and foremost on the livelihood issues we face, working my hardest to establish growth drivers and future fuel for our economy,” he added.

He went on to say that during his 100 days in office, he had remedied mistakes made by the administration of his predecessor, President Moon Jae-in. As examples, he mentioned “doing away with misguided economic policies such as ‘income-led growth,’” “abandoning nuclear phase-out policies rooted in one-side ideologies,” and “working quickly to normalize the weakened South Korea-US alliance and deteriorating South Korea-Japan relations.”

His opening remarks amounted to 37% of the 54-minute total length of the press conference.

Yoon sidestepped answers on his low approval rating, discord within his People Power Party (PPP), and issues about replacing key administration figures. He also failed to present any concrete solutions on issues in inter-Korean and South Korea-Japan relations.

When asked to name three factors behind the decline in approval ratings for his administration’s performance, Yoon replied, “I think it would be difficult for me to name three.”

“The important thing is not the approval rating itself, but humbly accepting the public’s sentiments,” he added.

Commenting on the conflict surrounding former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok, he said, “As president, I’m focused on livelihood stability and the public’s security, so I haven’t had the opportunity to really know about what sorts of political statements other politicians have made.”

In a text message sent to National Assembly PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong last month, Yoon referred to Lee as “a leader who’s shot us in the foot.”

Yoon also dismissed the possibility of large-scale shake-ups in his administration.

“You can’t go about that sort of thing just to ‘turn things around’ or to achieve political ends,” he insisted.

“I think a bit of time will be needed,” he continued.

On inter-Korean issues, he spoke in generalities, stressing that he has “no desire for an excessive change to the status quo, or one achieved through force.” But he did not make any concrete proposals for inter-Korean dialogue either.

In terms of a solution to the issue raised by a court ruling ordering compensation to survivors of forced labor mobilization during the colonial period, he said he was “carefully exploring ways for creditors to be compensated without provoking the clash over sovereignty that Japan is worried about.”

“Since South Korea and Japan have a relationship where we must cooperate closely in terms of supply chain and economic security in the interests of global security, I believe that we can reach a rational conclusion on issues involving historical matters,” he added, emphasizing stronger trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan over a victim-centered approach.

On matters of labor-management relations, Yoon reiterated his emphasis on the rule of law.

“It is important for the administration to consistently maintain the principles of law and principle for labor and management alike,” he said.

“We need to give time for dialogue and compromise, and if that does not work out, we need a culture in place where those issues are handled according to the law,” he continued.

Democratic Party spokesperson Jo O-seop blasted Yoon’s remarks as “nothing more than embarrassing self-congratulation, with no real substance.”

By Kim Mi-na, staff reporter; Bae Ji-hyun, staff reporter; Kim Hae-jeong, staff reporter; Sun Dam-eun, staff reporter

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