Japanese newspaper reports on Yoon’s heavy drinking habits, mentions of martial law

President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida share a toast with draft beer throughout a pleasant gathering at a restaurant in Tokyo, in March 2023. Yonhap

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol ceaselessly talked about martial legislation beginning round April final yr, coinciding with Korea’s common elections.

Citing a former cupboard minister below the Yoon administration who dined with the president a number of instances, Asahi reported, “Yoon started citing the time period ‘martial legislation’ extra ceaselessly in gatherings after the ruling occasion’s crushing defeat within the April elections final yr. His stress ranges and alcohol consumption elevated as properly.”

In response to the report, Yoon typically drank at venues reminiscent of a authorities residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. These gatherings usually included samgyeopsal (grilled pork stomach), paired with rounds of „somaek“ — a shot of soju blended with beer. Apparently, Yoon drank as much as 20 glasses of somaek in a single sitting.

The previous minister mentioned, “Most individuals fill their somaek glasses midway, however the president crammed his to the brim. Whereas consuming, the president would criticize opposition politicians, although he generally directed criticism at ruling occasion members as properly.”

The report speculated that this behavior might stem from Yoon’s days as a prosecutor when he drank a mixture of whiskey and beer known as „Ten-Ten.“ This potent drink, designed for fast intoxication, was mentioned to be common amongst prosecutors.

A former international affairs aide from Yoon’s administration revealed that these consuming periods ceaselessly lasted till daybreak.

“Even the safety personnel stationed on the president’s amenities expressed frustration over the lengthy hours they needed to endure throughout these late-night gatherings,” the aide mentioned.

Pictured is a New Yr’s message signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol that was distributed to his supporters on Jan. 1 close to his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. Yoon mentioned that he was watching the supporters by way of a live-stream YouTube broadcast. Courtesy of lawyer Seok Dong-hyun

Fan of far-right YouTube broadcasts

Asahi additionally reported that Yoon grew to become closely influenced by far-right YouTube channels amid declining approval rankings and criticism of his unilateral governance fashion.

A detailed aide to the president mentioned, “As his approval rankings remained stagnant and criticisms of his governance fashion grew, President Yoon grew to become more and more absorbed in far-right YouTube broadcasts.”

Former cupboard members suggested Yoon to watch mainstream media to higher gauge public sentiment, however their strategies had been dismissed. An official near the administration was quoted as saying, “The time period ‘anti-state forces’ isn’t one thing politicians usually use.”

A ruling occasion lawmaker instructed Asahi, “Politics typically entails reconciling differing opinions, which might be time-consuming and inefficient. Coming from a background as a prosecutor centered on effectivity, President Yoon appears to battle with understanding the character of politics.”

This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Instances.