Why are follow-up questions not allowed?

The press conference should have allowed follow-up questions and not limit the topics.

KIM PIL-GYUThe author is a Washington correspondent of the JoongAng Ilbo. When a reporter pointed out that the special counsel described him as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” President Joe Biden said he knew what he was doing as the president. When asked “How bad is your memory?” Biden replied, “My memory is so bad I let you speak.”

The exchange took place between Biden and a Fox News reporter at a White House press conference three months ago. When the reporter continued asking uncomfortable questions, the president answered all questions despite his obvious displeasure. At the White House press conference, follow-up questions are normal whether they are asked to a spokesperson, the national security adviser or the president.

Other reporters with their hands raised also wait until the follow-up questions are over. I haven’t seen any reporters complaining about additional questions. Once a reporter is chosen to ask, two to three follow-up questions are guaranteed. That way, vague answers can be prevented, and reporters can “build up” questions to get the answer they want.

The topic of the questions is rarely limited. At the joint press conference after the U.S.-Japan summit on April 11, the first question to Biden was about inflation. You might wonder why such a sensitive question was asked when a leader of another country is present. But no White House official intervened or took issue. It is only at these times that reporters can ask about the president’s position on the hottest issues, in this short time they can meet.

The president may brush off some questions, but he always gives a straightforward answer. That’s a message that he is well prepared and not handled by his staff. The foreign correspondents who are used to this culture are understandably disappointed by President Yoon Seok Yeol’s press conference on the second anniversary of his presidency on May 9.

When asked how far Yoon was willing to tolerate North Korea-Russia military cooperation, he said, “Russia has long been in a good relationship with South Korea.” The BBC Seoul correspondent cynically said that Yoon practically didn’t answer her question.

President Yoon repeatedly gave irrelevant answers at the press conference. As questions were mechanically divided into four fields, journalists were unable to ask about current issues people were curious about. The press conference should have allowed follow-up questions and not limit the topics. While wrapping up the press conference, Yoon said he would create more of such opportunities. I just hope for some improvement next time.