Kim Minseok Apologizes Over 'Singer's Performance Interrupted' Controversy at Sunchang County Festival

Kim: "I apologize for causing discomfort to the singer and audience"
PPP: "Stage intrusion ruined the festival... Abused it as a campaign rally"

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized amid controversy over whether he had gone onstage during a singer's celebratory performance at a local festival and interrupted it.

In a social media post on the 18th, Kim said, "There was an unfortunate situation involving the singer and audience members during a performance at the Sunchang County festival." He added, "I would first like to apologize to singer HYNN (Park Hye-won), who was inconvenienced, and to the audience." Explaining what happened, he said, "Because the performance was underway, I had said I would not offer greetings. While I was looking around the area near the venue, the emcee suddenly called my name, and I ended up offering greetings." He bowed his head, adding, "Once again, I apologize to the singer and audience members for causing them inconvenience."

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivers opening remarks at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Earlier, at the celebratory performance during the opening ceremony of the 21st Sunchang Fermented Soybean Festival in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, on the 15th, Kim went onstage without prior notice while HYNN (Park Hye-won) was preparing her next song after performing two songs, including "Practice Being the Main Character," and greeted the audience.

At the time, the emcee explained, "The emcee isn't supposed to come onstage in the middle of a performance, but I was told that a huge fan was here, so he came up to greet you and say a few words. After that, we'll get to enjoy Park Hye-won's wonderful singing." The emcee then introduced him, saying, "Please welcome our special guest, Democratic Party leader Kim Minseok. Come on up. Your wife is here with you, too, right?" HYNN, who was standing beside the emcee, gestured for the emcee to continue the performance and left the stage. Kim's photo and name appeared on the screen behind the stage.

Onstage, Kim said, "You're enjoying the atmosphere today, right? This festival is on its way to becoming a global, world-class festival." He continued, "Sunchang is known for its excellent fermented soybean paste and wonderful people. It's also special because it's the hometown of Minister Jeong Dong-young, who is working hard in our government, and because it's in Assemblyman Park Heeseung's constituency. I hope you have a wonderful time." HYNN, who had been waiting below the stage, resumed her performance after Kim left.

Online, criticism followed, with people asking, "Is it appropriate for a politician to interrupt a guest singer's performance to give a speech?" The People Power Party criticized the incident as a "farce involving an invasion of the stage."

In a statement released that day, Choi Sujin, the People Power Party's senior deputy floor leader and spokesperson, said, "Kim Minseok staged an absurd farce at a local festival, forcibly interrupting a singer's performance and barging onto the stage." She added, "The guest singer, who was in the middle of a powerful performance, had to retreat from the stage as if being chased off after the performance was abruptly interrupted and Kim appeared." She continued, "He abused a festival that should have been enjoyed by the public, turning it into a campaign rally where a politician from his own party could hand out name tags," adding, "The only end for those in power who brazenly grab someone else's microphone is a disgraceful forced exit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.