(Originally posted at politico44 this exchange could be evidence of Chinese interference with Korean reporters.)
“I feel obliged to take maybe one question from the Korean press — since you guys have been such excellent hosts,” Obama said, after answering a string of questions from White House reporters during his post-G-20 summit news conference.
“Anybody?” the president said, searching the audience.
It was an unusual move for Obama, who usually reads from a predetermined list of reporters to call on at news conferences. Plus his aides had already given him a clear signal to wrap it up. But he found a taker, and for a moment it seemed the risks of calling on a reporter at random might bear fruit.
“This gentleman right here — he’s got his hand up,” Obama said. “He’s the only one who took me up on it. Go ahead. And I'll probably need a translation, though, if you're asking the question in Korean. In fact, I definitely will need a translation.”
“Unfortunately, I hate to disappoint you, President Obama, I'm actually Chinese,” the reporter said.
“Well, it’s wonderful to see you,” Obama replied.
After some back and forth about whether the reporter fell under Obama’s offer to call on a Korean reporter, Obama said, “Now, in fairness, though, I did say that I was going to let the Korean press ask a question. So I think that you held up your hand anyway.”
“How about will my Korean friends allow me to ask a question on your behalf? Yes or no?” the Chinese reporter said.
“Well, it depends on whether there’s a Korean reporter who would rather have the question. No, no takers?” Obama said. “This is getting more complicated than I expected.”
The Chinese reporter pleaded, “Take quick, one question from an Asian, President Obama.”
“Well, the — as I said, I was going to — go ahead and ask your question,” Obama said, “but I want to make sure that the Korean press gets a question as well.”
The Chinese reporter asked his question, about how Obama deals with the different interpretations of his actions. Obama had barely finished his answer when his personal aide, Reggie Love, who’d been standing off to the side, sauntered across the stage and handed his boss a note.
“So — all right, now I’m stuck with this last one but I think I’ve got to go fly a plane,” Obama said, after reading the note and again searching for the raised hand of a Korean reporter in the audience.
The Korean reporter asked about the U.S. and South Korea’s efforts to reach a renewed trade deal.
“All right, thank you very much, everybody,” Obama said after giving a concise answer. “I’m late for my flight.
