Reading Material: Tense Inauguration Ceremony, Divided Reactions

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Korean Reading Practice

Reading Material: Tense Inauguration Ceremony, Divided Reactions

Date: June 05, 2025

Introduction

This reading lesson discusses the reactions of National Assembly Minority Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong and People Power Party Emergency Committee Vice Chairman Kim Yong-tae during President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony. It provides insights into the political tensions and dynamics within the Korean government.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
야당 YaDang Opposition party "이게 야당 품격?"...
품격 Pumgyeok Dignity, decorum "이게 야당 품격?"...
인사하다 Insahada To greet, to bow 김혜경 여사 인사하자, 고개 싹 돌린 권성동
고개를 돌리다 Gogaereul Dolida To turn one's head 김혜경 여사 인사하자, 고개 싹 돌린 권성동
취임 선서 Chwiin Seonsewo Inauguration oath 이 대통령은 취임 선서를 했다.
기립박수 Giribaksoo Standing ovation 참석자들은 일제히 기립박수를 쳤다.
자리에 앉다 Jarieanjda To remain seated 권 원내대표와 김용태 국민의힘 비상대책위원장은 그대로 자리에 앉은 채 정면을 응시했다.
박수치다 Baksuchida To applaud 참석자들은 일제히 기립박수를 쳤으나 권 원내대표와 김용태 국민의힘 비상대책위원장은 박수도 치지 않았다.
악수하다 Akswuhada To shake hands 이 대통령은 권 원내대표에게 활짝 웃으며 먼저 악수를 청했고, 권 원내대표는 이 대통령과 악수를 한 뒤 곧바로 손을 빼 뒷짐을 졌다.
뒷짐을 지다 Dwittjimeul Jida To put one's hands behind one's back 권 원내대표는 이 대통령과 악수를 한 뒤 곧바로 손을 빼 뒷짐을 졌다.

Reading Text

이날 오전 11시께 부인 김혜경 여사와 함께 국회에 입장한 이 대통령은 헌법 69조에 따른 취임 선서를 했다. 별도 행사 없이 약식으로 간소하게 진행된 이날 행사에 우원식 국회의장을 포함한 5부 요인과 정당 대표, 국회의원, 국무위원 등 약 300명이 참석했다.

President Yoon entered the National Assembly with his wife Kim Hye-kyung around 11 a.m. that day and took the inauguration oath in accordance with Article 69 of the Constitution. The event was held in a simple and concise manner without a separate ceremony, and about 300 people attended, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the heads of the five state organs, party leaders, members of the National Assembly, and cabinet ministers.

이 대통령이 취임 선서를 마치자 참석자들은 일제히 기립박수를 쳤으나 권 원내대표와 김용태 국민의힘 비상대책위원장은 그대로 자리에 앉은 채 정면을 응시하며 박수도 치지 않았다.

After President Yoon completed the inauguration oath, the attendees gave a standing ovation, but the floor leader of the opposition party, Kwon Seong-dong, and the vice chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee, Kim Yong-tae, remained seated and did not applaud.

권 원내대표는 취임 선서를 마친 이 대통령이 김 여사와 함께 단상 아래로 내려가 내빈들과 인사를 나누자 일어섰다. 이 대통령은 권 원내대표에게 활짝 웃으며 먼저 악수를 청했고, 권 원내대표는 이 대통령과 악수를 한 뒤 곧바로 손을 빼 뒷짐을 졌다.

When President Yoon and his wife Kim descended from the stage to greet the guests, Kwon Seong-dong stood up. President Yoon smiled brightly and initiated a handshake with Kwon, but Kwon shook his hand and then immediately put his hands behind his back.

이 대통령 뒤에 서 있던 김 여사가 두 손을 앞으로 모은 채 인사했으나, 권 원내대표는 굳은 표정으로 뒷짐을 진 채 바라보기만 하다 답례 없이 고개를 돌렸다. 이러한 모습은 생중계 카메라에 포착돼 그대로 전파를 타면서 논란이 일었다.

While Kim Hye-kyung, the first lady, greeted the guests with her hands clasped in front of her, Kwon Seong-dong stood with a stern expression, his hands behind his back, and turned his head without returning the greeting. This scene was captured by the live broadcast camera, sparking controversy.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄴ 채(로) while (remaining in a state)

Attached to a verb stem to mean 'while remaining in the state of ~'. Indicates that a secondary action is done while maintaining a prior state.

📖 권 원내대표와 김용태 국민의힘 비상대책위원장은 그대로 자리에 앉은 채 정면을 응시하며 박수도 치지 않았다. Floor leader Kwon and PPP emergency committee chairman Kim Yong-tae remained seated as they were, staring straight ahead without even clapping.

✏️ 그는 신발을 신은 채로 방에 들어왔다. He came into the room with his shoes still on.

-에 따라(서) depending on / according to

Attached to a noun to mean 'according to' or 'in accordance with'. Here used as a modifier (-(으)ㄴ form) meaning 'in accordance with'.

📖 이날 오전 11시께 부인 김혜경 여사와 함께 국회에 입장한 이 대통령은 헌법 69조에 따른 취임 선서를 했다. President Lee, who entered the National Assembly with his wife Kim Hye-kyung around 11 a.m. that day, took the inauguration oath in accordance with Article 69 of the Constitution.

✏️ 규정에 따라 모든 직원은 신분증을 착용해야 합니다. According to the regulations, all employees must wear their ID badges.

Cultural Notes

The tense interaction between President Yoon and the opposition party leaders during the inauguration ceremony reflects the political dynamics and divisions within the Korean government. The opposition party's refusal to participate in the customary show of unity and support for the new president highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges that the Yoon administration may face in governing effectively.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Who were the key figures present at President Yoon's inauguration ceremony?

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Q2

How did the opposition party leaders, Kwon Seong-dong and Kim Yong-tae, react during the ceremony?

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Q3

What was the interaction between President Yoon and Kwon Seong-dong like when Yoon came down to greet the guests?

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Q4

How did the first lady, Kim Hye-kyung, greet the guests, and how did Kwon Seong-dong respond?

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Q5

Why did this incident cause controversy?

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