Lee variety show appearance by President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung drew criticism amid a national crisis. The couple appeared on a Chuseok special of the JTBC variety show, Please Take Care of My Refrigerator. The show features chefs examining refrigerators and preparing meals using the ingredients. The presidential office stated the appearance aimed to promote Korean cuisine to viewers.
However, the main opposition party and critics questioned the timing of Lee variety show appearance. The appearance occurred during a nationwide network outage caused by a fire at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS). The fire disrupted hundreds of online government services and administrative networks. Critics argued that public safety should have come first. Some linked the timing to the death of a government official involved in system recovery efforts.
The People Power Party (PPP) condemned Lee variety show appearance, stating the president wasted crucial hours needed for crisis management. The party called the appearance inappropriate and accused Lee of prioritizing image politics. PPP officials highlighted the distress of government staff working overnight to restore services. “The public cares about the president’s actions during the crisis, not the contents of his refrigerator,” said a PPP spokesperson. They demanded an apology for the perceived misjudgment.
The ruling Democratic Party defended the president, calling the criticism an excessive political attack. Meanwhile, the presidential office released a detailed account of Lee’s schedule and actions following the NIRS fire. Lee returned from a U.S. trip shortly after the fire and continuously monitored the situation. He provided directives, assessed damage, and ensured emergency meetings took place.
Before filming the variety show, Lee presided over an emergency response meeting. After filming, he led another meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Presidential spokespersons insisted that Lee handled the crisis responsibly. The office also requested JTBC to delay the program’s broadcast out of respect for mourning. The show aired later in the evening following the delay.
Regarding the official’s death, Lee expressed condolences, honoring the civil servant’s dedication. He highlighted the official’s sacrifice and acknowledged the nation’s mourning. The presidential office emphasized that the show’s recording did not interfere with crisis management. Analysts noted that timing and communication remain sensitive during national emergencies, highlighting public expectations for leaders’ actions.
Lee variety show appearance demonstrates the balance between public engagement and crisis leadership. Critics and supporters debate the appropriateness of media appearances during emergencies. The situation reflects the intense scrutiny political leaders face in South Korea. Moving forward, officials must consider public perception and timing when planning such appearances.
