President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida share a toast with draft beer during a friendly gathering at a restaurant in Tokyo, in March 2023. Yonhap

Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol frequently mentioned martial law starting around April last year, coinciding with Korea's general elections.

Citing a former cabinet minister under the Yoon administration who dined with the president several times, Asahi reported, “Yoon began bringing up the term ‘martial law' more frequently in gatherings after the ruling party's crushing defeat in the April elections last year. His stress levels and alcohol consumption increased as well.”

According to the report, Yoon often drank at venues such as a government residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. These gatherings typically included samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), paired with rounds of "somaek" — a shot of soju mixed with beer. Apparently, Yoon drank up to 20 glasses of somaek in a single sitting.

The former minister said, “Most people fill their somaek glasses halfway, but the president filled his to the brim. While drinking, the president would criticize opposition politicians, though he sometimes directed criticism at ruling party members as well.”

The report speculated that this habit may stem from Yoon's days as a prosecutor when he drank a mix of whiskey and beer called "Ten-Ten." This potent drink, designed for quick intoxication, was said to be popular among prosecutors.

A former foreign affairs aide from Yoon's administration revealed that these drinking sessions frequently lasted until dawn.

“Even the security personnel stationed at the president's facilities expressed frustration over the long hours they had to endure during these late-night gatherings,” the aide said.

Pictured is a New Year's message signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol that was distributed to his supporters on Jan. 1 near his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. Yoon said that he was watching the supporters through a live-stream YouTube broadcast. Courtesy of lawyer Seok Dong-hyun

Fan of far-right YouTube broadcasts

Asahi also reported that Yoon became heavily influenced by far-right YouTube channels amid declining approval ratings and criticism of his unilateral governance style.

A close aide to the president said, “As his approval ratings remained stagnant and criticisms of his governance style grew, President Yoon became increasingly absorbed in far-right YouTube broadcasts.”

Former cabinet members advised Yoon to monitor mainstream media to better gauge public sentiment, but their suggestions were dismissed. An official close to the administration was quoted as saying, “The term ‘anti-state forces' isn't something politicians typically use.”

A ruling party lawmaker told Asahi, “Politics often involves reconciling differing opinions, which can be time-consuming and inefficient. Coming from a background as a prosecutor focused on efficiency, President Yoon seems to struggle with understanding the nature of politics.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.