Yoon, dressed in a black suit and red tie, spoke from behind a desk adorned with a plaque inscribed with the words "The BUCK STOPS here."
The well-known motto was used by Harry S. Truman, who served as the U.S. president from 1945 to 1953. Truman famously kept a plaque with the phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. The plaque was a gift from a friend, and Truman used it as an important reminder of his responsibilities as president.
Yoon mentioned Truman’s plaque while he was contending for the presidency. In an online campaign show, he said he wanted to place a plaque bearing Truman’s phrase in his office if elected president, showing a resolve to be a resolute, responsible head of state.
Last year, his dream came true. He received a plaque bearing the famous phrase as a surprise gift from U.S. President Joe Biden when the latter visited Korea in May. He proudly displayed the plaque in his office in Yongsan to the public during an interview with state broadcaster KBS in February this year.
Adding to their discomfort is the underlying message of the plaque being delivered to the audience.
“We know it is a gift from the U.S. president, and he may be very proud of this,” an online comment reads. “But considering his position as the leader of an independent nation with relations beyond just the U.S., displaying Biden's gift so prominently during his address wasn't a good idea.”
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