"Notary certification takes half a day": Jeon Hyun-moo sparks controversy over impromptu trip to Kazakhstan → Complaints filed with Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Controversy over broadcast personality Jeon Hyun-moo's trip to Kazakhstan, revealed on MBC's 'I Live Alone,' has escalated and led to a formal complaint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to records from the National Petition Portal submitted on the 26th, a petition was filed seeking verification of support provided by the Almaty city government for filming of MBC's variety program 'I Live Alone' in Almaty, as well as requests to improve the system for guiding foreign drivers on obtaining driving licenses in Kazakhstan. The complaint arose after conflicting statements emerged between the Almaty city government and the production team of 'I Live Alone.'

Regarding Jeon Hyun-moo's impromptu trip to Kazakhstan on 'I Live Alone,' the Almaty city government stated on the 21st that it was conducted with "support from the Almaty Tourism Bureau." However, MBC denied receiving any filming support or sponsorship.

In response, the petitioner formally requested confirmation through official diplomatic channels—including the Korean Consulate General in Almaty and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan—regarding whether the Almaty Tourism Bureau actually provided support, the specific nature of that support, the timing and identity of initial contact with broadcast production personnel, detailed records of what was provided, and whether any prior consultations or official documentation related to tourism promotion existed.

The petitioner also requested verification of facts concerning driving license issues in Kazakhstan and improvements to the guidance system. MBC stated regarding car rentals: "Just before departing for Kazakhstan, we submitted an international driving permit and passport to rent a vehicle." However, it was confirmed that additional notary procedures were required.

In response, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan announced on its official website on the 25th that "the original Korean driver's license, a Russian-language notarized translation of the Korean driver's license, documents translated and notarized by a local notary office, or translations and certifications issued by a Korean diplomatic mission abroad are required." The embassy further clarified: "Even if you possess an international driving permit, you cannot drive without both the original Korean driver's license and its Russian-language notarized translation."

The embassy added: "Notarized translations of Korean driver's licenses can be obtained through local notary offices in Kazakhstan or through Korean diplomatic missions abroad (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan / Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Almaty). If you apply for a Russian-language notarized translation of your driver's license at a Korean diplomatic mission stationed in Kazakhstan, it takes approximately half a day from application to issuance."

Despite explanations from the 'I Live Alone' production team, the controversy continues to grow. The issue surfaced after the episode aired on the 14th. In the broadcast, Jeon Hyun-moo arrived at the airport without prior planning and decided on a one-night, two-day itinerary in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He purchased flight tickets on-site and arranged car rentals swiftly.

However, some viewers raised doubts about how flight tickets for numerous staff members were booked together and how a rental car was secured just four hours after arriving at the local airport. In response, 'I Live Alone' denied receiving any filming support or sponsorship related to this Kazakhstan trip.

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*This content was translated by AI.