South Korea defends Yoon's controversial remarks about US Congress

ANKARA

The South Korean presidential office on Thursday defended President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial remarks, which appeared to refer to the US Congress.

Yoon was caught on camera on Wednesday during a fundraising program for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in New York, telling his aides that it would be embarrassing for President Joe Biden if the National Assembly did not approve his $6 billion fund announcement for the Global Fund.

During his talk with aides, Yoon referred to the US Congress as the National Assembly.

His comments drew harsh criticism in his country and social media users, who called it a diplomatic disaster as the US is South Korea's key security ally.

However, the presidential spokesman said he does not know who recorded the president's personal conversations with his aides.

"I think it's highly inappropriate to draw a link between private remarks and diplomatic accomplishments," the official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

"It's quite regrettable that a diplomatic disaster is being talked about over something like that when he is doing everything to complete a demanding schedule in the national interest of the Republic of Korea," he added.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA

The South Korean presidential office on Thursday defended President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial remarks, which appeared to refer to the US Congress.

During his talk with aides, Yoon referred to the US Congress as the National Assembly.

His comments drew harsh criticism in his country and social media users, who called it a diplomatic disaster as the US is South Korea's key security ally.

However, the presidential spokesman said he does not know who recorded the president's personal conversations with his aides.

"I think it's highly inappropriate to draw a link between private remarks and diplomatic accomplishments," the official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid