Empathy, candidness hold the key

People have high expectations for the rare press conference President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold on Thursday. While appointing former Vice Justice Minister Kim Joo-hyun, a former prosecutor, as his senior secretary for civil affairs on Tuesday, President Yoon said, “If I have judicial risks, I must address them, not the senior presidential secretary.” The remark translates into his intention to explain the suspicions over his wife in the press conference.

The president’s aides suggested that he will answer questions the people want to hear. We welcome it. But we hope the president avoids his one-sided arguments this time, just like he did in April, when he rambled on about the government’s unilateral push to increase the admissions quota for medical schools.

The success of Thursday’s press conference depends on the president’s ability to show candidness with the people. Instead of resorting to legal rhetoric deeply rooted in his long career as a prosecutor, President Yoon must answer questions from journalists in an open-minded and convincing manner. He must not give obscure answers to their questions about the first lady’s suspicious acceptance of a luxury handbag from a pastor, just like he did in a special interview with KBS in February. The press conference on Thursday will also serve as a barometer of whether the president’s new chief of staff successfully delivered the deepening public concerns about the president to his boss.

The president must also answer questions about the opposition’s demand for a special investigation into the mysterious death of a Marine on a rescue mission. Instead of reiterating, “Let’s wait until the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials comes up with its investigation results,” the president must first show sympathy for the sad death of the soldier and pledge to listen to the voice of his parents. It could be even better if the president can explain why the military applied insubordination charges to the chief investigator of the Marine Corps.

Sincere empathy starts with understanding other people’s position. If the president only pays attention to the voices of his allies and family, he cannot win the hearts of the people. We hope Yoon demonstrates his ability to sympathize with the general public. The future of his remaining three-year term depends on the conference.

The president’s attitude will also matter. Audiences will pay heed to his every word, facial expression and gesture during the live-covered event. If the president once again attempts to lecture the people, it will backfire. But if he answers questions from reporters humbly and genuinely, the conference will offer him a chance to better his presidency over the next three years.