In rare press conference, Yoon apologizes for handbag scandal but rejects special probe

President Yoon Suk Yeol takes questions from journalists during a press conference to mark his second anniversary in office at the Yongsan presidential office Thursday. [NEWS1]

On the eve of his second anniversary in office, President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday apologized for the controversy raised over first lady Kim Keon Hee's acceptance of a luxury handbag in 2022.

"I apologize for causing concern to the public over the unwise conduct of my wife," Yoon said in a rare live broadcast press conference from the Yongsan presidential office attended by members of the press corps, including foreign correspondents.

This is the first time the president has publicly apologized for the controversy sparked over Kim receiving a Christian Dior handbag as a gift from a Korean American pastor in September 2022. The news sparked public backlash after it was first reported on Nov. 29 by a liberal YouTube news channel.

At the same time, Yoon drew a line on a special counsel probe into another allegation that the first lady was involved in a stock price manipulation case, calling it inappropriate and politically motivated.

He said he would not comment further to prevent any "misunderstandings," as he wouldn't want his remarks to have undue influence given that a prosecution investigation is currently underway.

The DP has pushed for an independent counsel to investigate allegations that the first lady was involved in a stock price manipulation case surrounding Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in Korea.

Yoon said another independent investigation into the allegations is "truly a political offensive" and "a political act that does not fit the essence or purpose of the special probes and is not intended to reveal the truth."

Political kerfuffle

The press conference to mark the second anniversary of Yoon's presidency is his first such formal media encounter in 21 months. The last official presidential press conference was held on Aug. 17, 2022, marking Yoon's first 100 days after taking office on May 10, 2022.

At 10 a.m., Yoon first gave a 20-minute video address to the nation from his office desk on his accomplishments over the past two years and future policy plans for the remainder of his five-year term.

Then, he held a rare and lengthy 70-minute question-and-answer session with members of the presidential press corps, which covered political, foreign affairs, security, economic and social matters.

Yoon also addressed the conservative People Power Party's (PPP) crushing defeat in last month's general election, with its rival Democratic Party (DP) securing a majority in the National Assembly again.

When asked about the April 10 election defeat, he said he had been ruminating over what he had lacked. "In the end, no matter how hard we tried to improve people's livelihoods, there was a lack of tangible change for the people," he said.

As a candidate, Yoon, a former prosecutor general who diverged from the image of traditional politicians, promised to become a president who communicates with the public and media more than his predecessors. However, he has been criticized for not following through on that pledge.

"I think there was a lot of lack of communication and explanation to the people about things like government policies," Yoon said. "In the future, I will communicate more frequently with the media, and through the press, explain to the people and seek their understanding to address our insufficiencies and shortcomings."

Yoon has avoided customary presidential New Year's press conferences for two years, instead opting for interviews with the conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper in 2023 and public broadcaster KBS earlier this year, which was prerecorded.

The exceptions were diplomatic communications, such as joint press conferences after summits with foreign leaders. Yoon also took a few limited questions from journalists recently during three unexpected press encounters late last month and this week to personally announce new presidential aides.

Yoon expressed regret over the handbag issue during the KBS interview aired in early February but stopped short of an apology.

In Thursday's press event, Yoon also expressed skepticism about the DP's call for a special counsel probe into the military's alleged intervention in the investigation into the death of a young Marine during flooding last year.

Yoon said that if the ongoing investigation by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (COI) is insufficient, he will be the first to call for a special counsel probe.

When asked about the appointment of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as ambassador to Australia when he was embroiled in the investigation into the Marine's death, Yoon denied he had prior knowledge of the travel ban imposed on Lee as such details are confidential.

During his time as defense chief, Lee was accused of abusing power by allegedly exercising undue influence on a military investigation into the death of 21-year-old Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died after being swept away in a stream during a search for victims of flooding and monsoon rain in July last year.

Yoon said that the police and COI are investigating the case, which will be handed over to the prosecution. He said if the results of this investigation are unsatisfactory, he would be open to a special probe, indicating he will likely exercise his presidential veto if the DP-led National Assembly pushes for an independent counsel.

Yoon also played down reports of a falling out with former PPP chief Han Dong-hoon, his close confidant from their prosecutor days and a former justice minister. Han stepped down as PPP chief last month over the party's election defeat.

"I think he will do well walking the path of a politician in the future," Yoon said on Han.

He noted they can "meet at any time," referring to their relationship of over 20 years.

Regarding cooperation with the DP, Yoon said, "I don't think that meeting DP chief Lee Jae-myung will completely change our atmosphere overnight and lead to cooperation."

He called for "perseverance, patience, sincerity, trust in each other and dialogue," stressing the importance of having a mentality of "never giving up on cooperation" for the sake of governance.

When asked if he would meet with former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, head of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, Yoon replied, "No politician draws lines, and I will always keep communication open."

Status quo on diplomacy

Yoon skirted an answer when asked about the possibility of Washington asking South Korea to pay more for the stationing of U.S. troops in Korea should former U.S. President Donald Trump be reelected in November.

"I am confident that the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance will not change," Yoon said, pointing to strong American support for this relationship across the public and private sectors, with bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress and the executive branch. He said he is confident that any issues will be able to be solved based on this alliance through various negotiations.

When asked about the future of Korea-Japan relations as the two sides work to overcome the issue of compensation of Korean forced labor victims during World War II, Yoon said, "To respond to North Korea's nuclear weapons threats and achieve economic cooperation between our two countries, we must cooperate for leadership in our shared agenda in the Indo-Pacific region and globally."

He said that he and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida have "sufficient trust" in each other and will work hard to develop the relationship between the two countries.

Yoon again reaffirmed that South Korea has no plans to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

He said that North Korea's reported export of weapons to Russia has an "aspect of supporting the waging of an illegal war and also violates UN Security Council's resolution on sanctions against North Korea," adding Seoul will be "taking the necessary responses through the UN and the international community."

Socioeconomic challenges

The president vowed to create a new ministry to tackle Korea's dismally low birthrate and renewed his commitment to medical and pension reform during his presidency.

"We will fully mobilize all capabilities of the state to overcome the low birthrate, which can be considered a national emergency," Yoon said, promising to ensure that maternity and child care leave can be used "more freely and sufficiently."

He said that the government would ensure that the necessary support is provided to reduce the resulting burden on companies and work to institutionalize flexible work plans.

Yoon said he would establish a tentatively named "low birthrate response planning ministry" to address low fertility and the aging population.

He said the birthrate minister will "establish policies encompassing education, labor and welfare, and make them a national agenda, going beyond a simple welfare policy."

He also promised to increase basic pension stipends to 400,000 won from the current 330,000 won within his term.

"As we enter the era of 10 million seniors, we will take more careful care of the lives of the elderly," Yoon said, vowing to also extend support for socially underprivileged and marginalized people.

Regarding medical reform, including a hike in the medical school admissions quota, Yoon said he regretted the lack of a unified opinion in the medical community and said, "We will step forward on the path of medical reform for the people according to the roadmap."

He also said people suffered as real estate prices soared during the previous administration and that he aims to "ensure that all citizens, especially the middle class and working class, can receive stable housing security."

"For the government to take better care of people's livelihood, cooperation in the National Assembly is absolutely necessary," Yoon said. "I believe that public sentiment calls for the government and rivaling parties to stop political strife and work together for the people's livelihood."

He acknowledged he has not been able to resolve all livelihood difficulties amid high inflation globally, high interest rates and high oil prices, saying policies have "fallen far short of the people's expectations."

During the press conference, which was twice as long as his 100-day session, Yoon answered some 20 questions.

"The next three years will be spent listening to the voices of the people," Yoon said.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]