South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol has come under fresh scrutiny after soldiers were forced to sing, dance and praise the leader at his birthday bash in 2023.
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Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun instructed dozens of service members to take part in an entertainment show initially intended to mark the 60th anniversary of the Presidential Security Service (PPP) on December 17 that year, according to a media report.
But the event was instead held a day later, coinciding with Yoon’s birthday where military personnel used tweaked lyrics of popular hits to sing paeans to him.
They practised two months for the performance, which also included saluting the president and first lady Kim Keon-hee.
Police officers involved in presidential security duties were ordered to join the birthday gala organised by PPP deputy chief Kim Sung-hoon, The Korea Herald reported.
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The PPP declined to confirm if it arranged the party, saying the agency’s activities were classified.