Reading Material: Controversy over Former Presidential Aide's Vlog

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Korean Reading Practice

Reading Material: Controversy over Former Presidential Aide's Vlog

Date: June 07, 2025

Introduction

This reading lesson discusses the controversy surrounding the "center shot" photos of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, and the former employee of the presidential office who released a vlog about his resignation.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
논란이 nonraneul controversy There was controversy over the "center shot" photos of the first lady.
직원이 jigwoneul employee A former employee of the presidential office released a vlog about his resignation.
여사가 yeosaga first lady The controversy was related to the "center shot" photos of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee.
기자 gija journalist The journalist reported on the controversy surrounding the first lady's photos.
여사 yeosa first lady The controversy over the first lady's "center shot" photos continued during her overseas trips.

Reading Text

윤석열 정부 대통령실의 전직 직원이 퇴사 브이로그를 찍어서 논란이 됐다. 지난해 9월 마포대교 점검 사진에서 당시 야당이었던 민주당에서도 큰 비판이 나왔다.

The former employee of the presidential office under the Yoon Seok-yeol government caused controversy by filming a vlog about his resignation. In September of last year, the Democratic Party, which was the opposition party at the time, strongly criticized the photos of the first lady's inspection of the Mapo Bridge.

2023년 순천만 국제정원박람회 개막식에서도 김 여사의 사진 논란이 끊임없이 이어졌다. 특히 해외순방 때마다 김 여사의 사진 논란이 계속되었는데, 지난해 카자흐스탄 순방 때 현지 언론이 공개한 사진에서 김 여사가 가운데, 센터에 서 있는 모습이 보였다.

The controversy over the first lady's photos continued even at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo. The controversy over the first lady's photos persisted, especially during her overseas trips, and a photo released by the local media during her trip to Kazakhstan last year showed the first lady standing in the center.

Grammar Points

-았/었던 것 같다 I think (it was)

Used to express that something was a certain way in the past. Formed by attaching -았/었던 to a verb/adjective stem, followed by 것 같다.

📖 지난해 9월 마포대교 점검 사진에서 당시 야당이었던 민주당에서도 큰 비판이 나왔다. In the bridge inspection photo from September of last year, even the Democratic Party, which was then the opposition party, issued strong criticism.

✏️ 그 사람이 예전에 선생님이었던 것 같아요. It seems like that person used to be a teacher.

-고 있다 be ~ing

Indicates an ongoing action or a state resulting from an action. Formed by attaching -고 있다 to a verb stem; here 서 있다 means 'to be standing'.

📖 지난해 카자흐스탄 순방 때 현지 언론이 공개한 사진에서 김 여사가 가운데, 센터에 서 있는 모습이 보였다. In photos released by local media during last year's visit to Kazakhstan, First Lady Kim could be seen standing in the center.

✏️ 버스 정류장에 사람들이 줄을 서고 있어요. People are standing in line at the bus stop.

Cultural Notes

The controversy over the first lady's "center shot" photos reflects the close attention and scrutiny that public figures in South Korea, especially the president and their family, face. The positioning and framing of the first lady in these photos were seen by some as an attempt to highlight her prominence, which sparked criticism and debate about the appropriate role and representation of the first lady.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What was the controversy surrounding the first lady's "center shot" photos?

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Q2

Who criticized the photos of the first lady's inspection of the Mapo Bridge?

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Q3

When and where did the controversy over the first lady's photos continue?

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Q4

What was notable about the photo of the first lady during her trip to Kazakhstan?

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Q5

Who released a vlog about their resignation from the presidential office, causing controversy?

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