One lawmaker from the ruling party blamed the TV station that first reported the hot-mic comments. “MBC should gravely be held accountable for its report that has damaged the irreplaceable US-Korea alliance,” wrote MP Yoon Sang-Hyun on his Facebook account.
But the government’s response failed to calm critics at home. “It is utterly shameful and embarrassing for our kids that our presidential office has come up with such an excuse,” one commentator wrote on YouTube.
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“I’ve listened to it 10 times now. It’s ‘Biden’ for sure,” another added.
Chun Jae-soo, MP from the opposition Democratic Party, during a radio interview on Friday slammed the official denial, commenting that it was as if the government regards South Koreans as “hearing impaired.” (rr)