President Yoon Failed to Pay His Last Respects to the Queen after Stressing Its Diplomatic Significance, Triggering Controversy over Poor Preparation

President Yoon Writes in the Book of Condolence: President Yoon Suk-yeol writes in the condolence book for Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom after attending her funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19 (local time). Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s schedule to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has stirred a heated debate over prior preparations. The president wrote in the book of condolence for the queen a day after his scheduled visit to pay his last respects. The Office of the President explained that things proceeded according to instructions from the U.K. government, but the opposition party criticized asking, “Why did he go to the U.K. (if that was all he was going to do)?”

Kim Eun-hye, the senior secretary for public relations who accompanied the president on his trip, met with reporters in the Korean press center set up in a hotel in London on September 19 (local time) and said, “President Yoon will write in the condolence book in a place prepared by the royal family after the queen’s funeral.” The book of condolence was prepared to let visitors pay their respects and leave messages, aside from the funeral, which was held at Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. this day. Westminster Hall, where the body of Queen Elizabeth II was laid until the funeral, was where visitors paid their last respects and wrote in the condolence book.

Originally, President Yoon had planned to pay his respects and write in the condolence book the day before the funeral, when he arrived in London, but his schedule was finally set for him to write in the condolence book after the funeral. Senior Secretary Kim spoke of the president not being able to pay his respects and said, “It would have been better if we could have adjusted the schedule (for the trip) and arrived in the U.K. earlier, but there were inevitable circumstances.” She further explained, “Due to the many complicated situations in London, state leaders who arrived after 2-3 p.m. yesterday were instructed to write in the book of condolence today.”

As for the U.K. adjusting the schedule for visits to Westminster Hall according to the arrival time, a senior official in the presidential office said, “We think it was because of the traffic,” and explained, “From what I know, the royal family made the suggestion because they could not guarantee the safety and smooth guidance due to the traffic.”

State Leaders Lower Their Heads as the Queen’s Coffin Enters: The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried into Westminster Abbey for the funeral on September 19 (local time). It was followed by King Charles III and the royal family. When the coffin entered, state leaders and the former prime ministers of the U.K. all bowed their heads. London, AP Yonhap News

This ignited criticism that officials made a mistake in the process of preparing the president’s itinerary. Some even mentioned “neglect” claiming it was the result of the president not receiving a proper reception by the U.K. Others pointed out how the president stood in contrast with U.S. President Joe Biden and President of France Emmanuel Macron who visited Westminster Hall and paid their respects the previous day. They argued that the details should have been fixed prior to the visit, since President Yoon went to the U.K. to pay his respects to the queen.

An Ho-young, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, released a comment this day and said, “The Office of the President stressed the diplomatic significance of the president paying his last respects, but canceled the visit claiming traffic control as an excuse.” He further argued, “If they were going to announce that the visit would be canceled, why in the world did President Yoon and the first lady go to the U.K.? Why is it possible for other state leaders, but not for the president of the Republic of Korea?”

Senior Secretary Kim responded to such criticism and said, “It is regrettable that such a sad occasion is being taken advantage of in domestic politics based on words that have not been confirmed,” and added, “I do not think this is being respectful of our ally country organizing the event.” Kim said, “The royal family provided a vehicle for the first couple and assigned additional security guards,” and dismissed accusations of neglect.