The Presidential Office said on the 4th that it had "politely asked the broadcaster to postpone airing the Chuseok special episode of JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' featuring President Lee Jae-myung and the first lady."
Presidential Office Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said in a written briefing that day, "In light of the fact that all ministries are taking time to mourn the death of a national civil servant, we made this request."
President Lee and his wife, Kim Hea-kyung, were scheduled to appear on the program on the 5th under the theme "Chuseok special, K Please Take Care of My Refrigerator." The intent was to use seasonal ingredients to cook and showcase the appeal of K-food for Chuseok.
However, after the death of an Interior and Safety Ministry official who oversaw the team handling the national computer network disruption caused by the recent fire at the National Information Resources Service, and as controversy continued over the timing of the presidential couple's variety show filming, it appears they judged the broadcast inappropriate. The broadcaster will make the final decision on whether to postpone the airing.
Kim said the presidential couple recorded Please Take Care of My Refrigerator on the afternoon of Sept. 28. This matches the date asserted earlier by People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo.
Kim said, "President Lee Jae-myung, starting on the night of the 26th immediately after returning from the United States, received frequent reports on the fire situation, closely reviewed the damage and the government response, and ordered necessary measures," adding, "Accordingly, a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting was held on the 27th under the prime minister's chairmanship, and the fire was fully extinguished at 6 p.m. that day."
Kim said, "At 10:50 a.m. on the 28th, the president convened an emergency countermeasures meeting, received briefings from the three senior secretaries of the Presidential Office, the head of the Crisis Management Center, the director of the State Affairs Situation Room, the spokesperson, and others, and discussed responses," adding, "At this meeting, the president ordered that a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting be held on the afternoon of the 28th and that each ministry conduct checks." Afterward, the recording of Please Take Care of My Refrigerator proceeded, and at 5:30 p.m. he presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting.