In this file photo dated Aug 17, 2022, ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a speech during his news conference to mark his first 100 days in office at the presidential office in Seoul. (CHUNG SUNG-JUN / POOL / AFP)
SEOUL – Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Monday "untrue" media reports over his remarks has damaged the country's alliance with the United States, Yonhap news agency reported.
Several media outlets earlier reported that Yoon was caught seemingly criticizing US lawmakers after a brief chat with US President Joe Biden last week.
Yoon's press secretary, Kim Eun-hye, dismissed the allegations, saying the president was referring to the ROK parliament without mentioning Biden
His press secretary, Kim Eun-hye, dismissed the allegations, saying Yoon was referring to the ROK parliament without mentioning Biden.
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"Well, rather than a controversy, I will say this: Except for one or two or three superpowers in the world, no country can fully protect the lives and safety of its people with its own capabilities," Yoon told reporters when asked about the hot mic incident on Monday.
"I'd like to say that damaging the alliance with reports that are different from the facts puts the people at great risk," he added, calling for efforts to establish facts.
The main opposition Democratic Party has been urging Yoon to apologize for the controversy and sack his national security advisor, his deputy and the foreign minister.
The opposition floor leader said it would propose a resolution for their dismissal to parliament if Yoon does not take action on Monday.
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Yoon's office declined to comment.