South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s first formal press conference in nearly two years aimed to reshape his administration’s public image and address key issues but delivered mixed results. While Yoon struck a more apologetic and communicative tone following his party’s recent election loss, his positions on major controversies remained largely unchanged.

For instance, Yoon’s stance on domestic issues, such as investigations into a marine’s death and the various scandals involving the first lady, stayed consistent with only slight modifications in tone.

On foreign policy, Yoon expressed a desire for “amicable” relations with Russia despite its cooperation with North Korea in its invasion of Ukraine. His remarks on societal issues centered around the country’s low birth rate, including plans for a new ministry to tackle the problem, but he neglected to address its underlying causes.

The president’s economic comments emphasized tax cuts and deregulation, signaling that he will maintain traditional conservative policies.

Korea Pro selected and summarized Yoon’s most important remarks from the press conference and assessed what was new and what was not.

Presidents Joe Biden and Yoon Suk-yeol hold a joint press conference at the White House, April 27, 2023 | Image: POTUS Twitter

FOREIGN POLICY: RUSSIA, THE U.S., JAPAN

Russia: Yoon sidestepped several critical foreign policy questions during his press conference, particularly regarding South Korea’s stance on Russia. When pressed about what actions by Moscow would cross a “red line,” considering Russia’s purchase and use of North Korean weapons in Ukraine, Yoon avoided providing a direct answer. Instead, he emphasized the need to manage relations with Russia on a case-by-case basis, balancing cooperation and disagreement while pursuing economic ties and shared interests.

Ukraine: On the issue of providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, Yoon reiterated the government’s position against supplying such arms, although he acknowledged that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is “illegal.”

The U.S.: Yoon also evaded questions about the potential return of former U.S. President Donald Trump and its implications for defense cost-sharing and the role of U.S. Forces Korea. He stated that commenting on the hypothetical election results of an allied nation would be “inappropriate.” However, Yoon emphasized the strong support for the U.S.-South Korea alliance from both the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration, suggesting that this would “not change” regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.

Japan: Yoon acknowledged that historical issues pose significant “hurdles” in the bilateral relationship. However, he stressed the importance of improving ties with Japan for economic cooperation, countering North Korean nuclear threats and seeking joint leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. Although Yoon expressed trust in his relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, he did not directly address whether he would seek Kishida’s help in resolving the forced labor dispute between the two countries.

WHAT’S NEW?

Although Yoon’s comments regarding South Korea’s red line on Russia, or the seeming lack thereof, do not represent a policy shift, his less accusatory tone marks a significant shift. Despite acknowledging the “uncomfortable” relationship due to the Russia-North Korea arms trade, Yoon’s emphasis on maintaining amicable economic ties with Russia deviates from his previous, more critical stance.

It is possible that Yoon’s shift in tone resulted from focusing the press conference primarily on domestic and economic issues, thus explaining the relative emphasis on economic ties. However, the change in tone toward Moscow will likely draw scrutiny from the U.S. and other Western countries.

Yoon’s response regarding the U.S. was equally diplomatic compared to some of his previous off-the-cuff moments. This suggests that Yoon’s team had prepared a strategy to handle questions about a potential Trump presidency, opting not to comment directly and instead emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

The international press was allowed to ask only four questions on foreign relations, and domestic media outlets were not selected to ask such questions. Notable omissions included questions about China, Taiwan, the Israel-Hamas conflict and the implications of South Korea’s ambassador to Russia attending Vladimir Putin’s inauguration.

The limited scope of foreign policy questions and the exclusion of domestic media from this segment of the press conference will likely continue to raise concerns about the administration’s commitment to transparency and willingness to address a broader range of international issues.

South Korean doctors protest against the government’s plan to expand medical school quotas starting in 2025, Feb. 25, 2024 | Image: Korean Medical Association

SOCIETY: LOW BIRTHRATE, MEDICAL REFORM

Low birthrate: Yoon announced plans to establish a new ministry dedicated to addressing South Korea’s plummeting birthrate, which he described as a “national emergency.” Yoon compared the need for a new ministry to former President Park Chung-hee’s establishment of a “control tower” in the 1960s to help the country escape poverty and develop its industries. He argued that the low birthrate issue requires a separate and more authoritative government entity to quickly implement solutions.

When asked about promoting societal changes to encourage more childbirth, Yoon suggested that people shift their mindset and lifestyle away from the current focus on “excessive competition” to live and educate children in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. He claimed that this competitive environment has led to people ignoring “family values” and that the government must promote changes.

Medical reform: Yoon largely reiterated his previous talking points, emphasizing the need for more pediatricians and criticizing past governments for failing or delaying necessary reforms. He asserted that the decision to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 resulted from a year-long discussion. However, the doctors’ association immediately disputed this claim, pushing back against Yoon’s statement.

Notably, Yoon did not extensively address the ongoing doctors’ strike issue during the press conference, which may raise questions about his administration’s ability to resolve this pressing matter effectively.

WHAT’S NEW?

While Yoon’s announcement of plans to establish a new ministry dedicated to addressing the low birthrate is a new development, he failed to provide clarity on the future of the gender ministry. The low birthrate issue is currently under the purview of the gender ministry and other committees.

Moreover, Yoon neglected to address various underlying problems widely regarded as contributing factors to the low birth rate. These issues include gender conflicts among the younger generation and the persistent glass ceiling in South Korea’s private and public sectors. By not tackling these deeper societal challenges, Yoon’s approach to the birthrate issue risks being seen as incomplete or superficial.

The attending journalists and the president missed the opportunity to discuss several critical social issues that have dominated headlines in the past two years. The investigation into the Itaewon crowd crush incident was not addressed during the press conference. Similarly, the ongoing concerns surrounding teachers’ rights and the rise in heinous crimes against women and random passersby were notably absent from the discussion.

The omission of these pressing matters raises questions about the administration’s priorities and willingness to confront South Korean society’s most urgent challenges. By failing to address these issues head-on, Yoon risks leaving significant gaps in his social policy agenda and may face criticism for not fully engaging with the public’s concerns.

Semiconductor wafers | Image: Canva

ECONOMY: SEMICONDUCTORS, TAX CUTS, PENSIONS, DEREGULATION

Semiconductors: Regarding semiconductors, Yoon stressed the importance of timely investments in infrastructure, such as utilities, which he considered valuable as subsidies. He defended his push for corporate tax cuts, arguing that they are crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the semiconductor industry. Yoon pledged to push the National Assembly to increase support for the sector, equating tax deductions with subsidies in terms of their economic impact.

Financial Investment Income Tax (FIIT): Yoon advocated for the abolition of the FIIT, citing concerns about potential capital flight due to higher relative taxes on financial gains compared to other developed countries. He said he plans to strongly urge the opposition to cooperate in preventing the detrimental effects seen in markets like Taiwan, which reconsidered similar measures following market upheaval.

Pensions: Yoon criticized previous governments for neglecting the pension issue and highlighted his administration’s efforts in preparing extensive data, including population projections, to facilitate legislative decisions. He vowed to ensure pension reforms are finalized during his term and announced plans to increase the basic pension to $290 (400,000 won).

Real estate: Yoon blamed the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s policies for “distorting market principles” and causing spikes in sales and rental prices. He pledged to relax building and reconstruction regulations and reduce punitive taxation to normalize the market, emphasizing the need to persuade the National Assembly to support these changes.

Cost of living: Despite recent positive economic indicators, Yoon acknowledged the persistent high costs of living, particularly fresh food prices. He outlined measures such as targeted discounts and better utilization of import duties to control food prices. Yoon proposed using allocated tariffs and diversifying import sources to reduce expenses attributed to imported food prices and wages.

WHAT’S NEW?

While Yoon’s commitment to increasing the basic pension to $290 represents a significant new pledge, the other economic policies he discussed during the press conference are largely consistent with his previous positions.

However, it is noteworthy that Yoon is reinforcing his stance on several contentious issues, such as eliminating the FIIT and deregulating the real estate sector. These policies will likely face strong opposition from the majority-held opposition in the 22nd National Assembly, making their implementation uncertain.

Moreover, Yoon’s stance comes after a period of adopting less conservative, arguably populist economic and financial measures, such as banning stock short-selling and freezing utility prices in the past year.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung hold their first official meeting since Yoon’s inauguration, April 29, 2024 | Image: ROK Presidential Office

DOMESTIC POLITICS: SCANDALS, ELECTION LOSS 

The first lady: Yoon addressed the first lady’s scandal involving a Dior bag gifted by an acquaintance. Yoon said he has been “apologizing” for his wife’s “unwise behavior.” However, he declined to comment on the ongoing prosecutors’ investigation, stating that his remarks may influence the probe and expressing confidence that they will investigate “fairly and strictly.”

However, Yoon disagreed with the opposition Democratic Party’s call for a special prosecutorial investigation into the first lady, dismissing it as a “political maneuver.” He argued that such investigations are necessary only when prosecutors are suspected of showing leniency or being insufficient in their probe, which he claimed was not the case since the investigation into the first lady’s Deutsch Motors stock manipulation allegations was conducted under the previous Moon administration.

The marine: Yoon expressed openness to a special prosecutorial investigation if the public finds the ongoing investigations into the death of a South Korean marine who died during a flood recovery operation in July 2023 unsatisfactory. Yoon also sidestepped questions about reports of him reprimanding then-defense minister Lee Jong-sup over the investigation that sought to look into who to hold responsible for the marine’s death. Instead, he stated that he had reprimanded Lee for pursuing dangerous operations that risked the lives of military personnel.

Yoon maintained his position on his appointment of Lee as ambassador to Australia, stressing Lee’s strong track record in defense exports during his time as defense minister. Additionally, Yoon claimed he was unaware that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials had issued a travel ban on Lee.

Election loss: Yoon stated that voters appear to have been dissatisfied with his efforts. While partly attributing the ruling party’s electoral defeat to global inflation and high interest rates, he acknowledged that his administration’s efforts did not translate into tangible improvements for voters. Yoon also conceded that he and his administration lacked effective communication with the public and the press, pledging to improve in this area.

Regarding his relationship with former justice minister and ruling People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon, Yoon said they remain on good terms. He stated that he expects Han to continue his political career. Additionally, Yoon claimed that reports of his former chief of staff asking Han to resign over the Dior bag scandal were a “misunderstanding” without providing further clarification.

WHAT’S NEW?

The domestic politics segment of the press conference drew significant attention, with nearly half of the questions focused on this topic. This heightened interest comes in the wake of the ruling party’s election loss and a Cabinet reshuffle that has already begun.

Notably, Yoon used the term “apologized” (사과) for the first time, albeit in the past tense, when addressing the scandals surrounding the first lady. This marked a departure from his usual stance, as Yoon has a reputation for being “obstinate” and unapologetic. The rare apology led to various South Korean media outlets citing anonymous presidential officials expressing their “surprise” at Yoon’s tone and choice of words.

However, despite this softened tone, Yoon largely maintained his position on the two special prosecution bids—one against the first lady and the other concerning the marine’s death. The only new development was his detailed explanation of his openness to the possibility of a special investigation into the latter case.

While the press conference showcased a notable shift in Yoon’s tone and a rare apology, his stance on key domestic political issues remained largely unchanged. The president’s softened approach may signal an attempt to regain public trust and support. However, whether this will translate into substantive policy changes or improved relations with the opposition remains to be seen.

Edited by John Lee