“Yes? Greetings to President Wen?”… Controversy over interview forced to thank Yeon-kyung Kim

Volleyball Federation’s moderator asks for the amount of the bounty
The Volleyball Association’s bulletin board flooded with criticisms of “rude interview” and “Is this North Korea?”

On the afternoon of the 9th, Kim Yeon-kyung of the women’s volleyball team answers a reporter’s question at the welcome ceremony for the Korean athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held at the arrival hall of Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 9th. 2021.8.9 Yonhap News” style=”padding:0px;margin:0px”>

▲ Kim Yeon-kyung answers questions from reporters
On the afternoon of the 9th, Kim Yeon-kyung of the women’s volleyball team answers a reporter’s question at the welcome ceremony for the Korean athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held at the arrival hall of Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 9th. 2021.8.9 Yonhap News

While the Korean women’s volleyball team, which impressed the audience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, returned to Korea on the 9th, the press conference moderator forced Kim Yeon-kyung to give thanks to President Moon Jae-in, causing controversy.

The game supervisor Yoo Ae-ja (Korea Volleyball Federation), who was in charge of the press conference, called Kim Yeon-kyung and started an interview with him. threw the

When Kim Yeon-kyung answered, “Ah, yes,” the host asked, “You know?” and Kim Yeon-kyung answered “yes”. Furthermore, the moderator asked, “Do you know the amount?” and Kim Yeon-kyung answered, “I know roughly.” The moderator said, “Ah, roughly, how much? How much is it?” and Kim Yeon-kyung answered, “Isn’t it 600 million won?”

The moderator seemed to have heard the desired answer only then, saying, “Yes,” and “This time, President Cho Won-tae of the Korea Volleyball Federation threw 200 million won, and Chairman Cho Yong-byeong of Shinhan Financial Group, which supports the national volleyball team, gave 200 million won, and the Korea Volleyball Association. Chairman Oh Han-nam gave us 200 million won, and along with this 600 million won, the Korea Sports Council will probably receive a lot of encouragement,” he emphasized.

He said, “There are so many incentives pouring out, so please give me a word of thanks for this.”

Kim Yeon-kyung said, “First of all, we feel so good that we gave a lot of bounty, and it was possible because many people helped and supported us like this, so I want to say thank you to the Volleyball Association and Shinhan Financial Group.”

After a question and answer session with the reporters, the moderator suddenly said, “President Moon Jae-in encouraged us by calling our female players by name one by one, and especially encouraged Kim Yeon-kyung.” “Did you answer that? ?” he said.

Kim Yeon-kyung said, “Is it me? What do I dare say to the President? ” He looked perplexed. When the moderator asked for an answer, he said, “I am so grateful to you for looking at me like that, and I’ve been told a lot that women’s volleyball gave a good message to a lot of people this time, no matter what. I am very grateful and I am looking forward to the future, so I hope that you will show more anticipation and interest in the future.”

The moderator then said, “Today, the opportunity and seat have come. In response to that, I would like to say hello once.” Kim Yeon-kyung seemed surprised, “Yes? When asked, “What kind of greeting do you have?” the host said, “To the President,” and Kim Yeon-kyung was bewildered and said, “You did it. Now,” he replied.

At the request of “one more time”, Kim Yeon-kyung said, “Thank you. When I said, “Thank you,” the host showed a satisfied response, “Yes.”

Kim Yeon-kyung said, “We ask for more interest and support for our volleyball team in the future. Thank you very much,” he concluded the interview.

On the afternoon of the 9th, players of the women’s volleyball team, including Kim Yeon-kyung, pose for a commemorative photo at the welcome ceremony for the Korean athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held at the arrival hall of Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 9th. 2021.8.9 Yonhap News” style=”padding:0px;margin:0px”>

▲ Women’s volleyball team that leaves memories
On the afternoon of the 9th, players of the women’s volleyball team, including Kim Yeon-kyung, pose for a commemorative photo at the welcome ceremony for the Korean athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held at the arrival hall of Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 9th. 2021.8.9 Yonhap News

Since then, an article has been posted on the online volleyball community that raises the issue of the press conference under the title, ‘The greatest press conference in women’s volleyball history (feat. President Moon Jae-in)’.

Writer A said that the press conference host was a person who worked hard for the development of women’s volleyball, but said, “There is a case of kimchi stew about the bounty, so it seems that the association requested publicity in hopes that the awareness of volleyball would improve a little, but I think it was too rude.” He pointed out, “I think I should have emphasized the fact that was already known through media reports again at the press conference.”

He continued, “And who made the story of President Moon Jae-in? I should have answered once, but I was really amazed at what kind of answer I wanted to hear so I had to answer it again.” ‘I love President Moon Jae-in!’ Did you want to hear any kind of answer like this?”

He also criticized, “There is no public who doesn’t know that the president encouraged and congratulated Kim Yeon-kyung, and I don’t know why they couldn’t promote it like this.”

On the bulletin board of the Korea Volleyball Association, more than 200 hateful articles flooded, such as “Is this North Korea?” “The first interview was forced to thank the bounty,” “It was too rude,” “The glory belongs to the players, not theirs.”

Reporter Lee Bo-hee boh2@seoul.co.kr