BTS will not perform at Yoon's inauguration

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sun, December 10, 2023 | 08:49

Politics

BTS will not perform at Yoon's inauguration

Posted : 2022-04-11 15:24

Updated : 2022-04-11 18:09

Park Joo-sun, center, chief of the preparatory committee for the inaugural ceremony of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, gives a briefing on his panel's preparations for the event at the office of the presidential transition committee in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony will not feature a performance by K-pop sensation BTS, his transition team said Monday, citing budget constraints and an intention to promote national unity instead of glitz during the event.

The prospect of the K-pop sensation performing at the May 10 ceremony faced a backlash from fans critical of the incoming president attempting to use the boy band for political purposes.

In addition, it remains to be seen if former President Park Geun-hye will attend the event, although Yoon is trying to rebuild relations with her. In 2016, Yoon was the lead prosecutor of an investigation into Park's corruption allegations that eventually led to her impeachment, ouster from office and imprisonment in 2017.

"It is true that we considered a performance by BTS at the inauguration ceremony, but the president-elect wanted the event to focus on national unity by featuring children, young people, the disadvantaged and lesser known stars, so we decided not to invite BTS," Park Joo-sun, who leads the presidential inauguration preparation committee, said during a press briefing.

He also said a limited budget for the inauguration ceremony prevented the committee from inviting the global phenomenon.

There was lingering criticism that Yoon was trying to use the superstars to boost his approval ratings that are relatively lower than those of his predecessors one month ahead of his inauguration.

Earlier this month, Park hinted during a radio interview that BTS may perform at the inauguration ceremony and officials of Yoon's transition team also visited Hybe, the band's agency, raising expectations that the boy group will be featured next month.

However, in the wake of unexpected protests from some BTS fans who called for the committee not to use the band for political purposes, the transition committee took a step backward, saying a performance was not being planned for the inauguration ceremony.

In response to the criticism, Park disagreed, saying that that an inauguration ceremony for a president is not a political event, but a national ceremony held in accordance with the law.

Along with BTS, attention is on whether former President Park will attend, after Yoon embarked on a national tour, Monday, which will include meeting her, today, in Daegu.

"I think that the president-elect is expected to formally invite her to the inauguration ceremony," the committee chief said.

"According to the result, we will then take the next step."

Yoon has repeatedly stated his wish to visit Park, saying he feels "great sorrow" for the investigation on a political and emotional level, though he was doing his job.

The former president recently moved into her new home in Daegu after being released from prison under a presidential pardon and subsequently from a hospital.

Yoon's inauguration ceremony is also expected to feature some foreign guests.

"Former and incumbent minister-level officials have indirectly expressed their intention to participate in the event," Park said.

According to Rep. Park Jin of the main opposition People Power Party, who led the ROK-U.S. Policy Consultation Delegation to Washington, the U.S. government also plans to send a senior official to the inauguration.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr