PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – In a turbulent turn of events, Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, announced his resignation on Friday, May 12, 2023.
The decision followed a controversy revolving around the alleged extravagant expenditure on the country’s official delegation attending the coronation of King Charles III.
Tkatchenko’s daughter, Savannah, inadvertently ignited the controversy with a TikTok video that showcased her first-class plane journey and shopping extravaganza in Singapore.
The video, which was later removed, led to widespread criticism and protests outside Parliament House in Port Moresby, the country’s capital.
In a statement, Tkatchenko said he had decided to step aside after consulting with Prime Minister James Marape, expressing his desire to prevent the recent events from disrupting the upcoming official visits by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I also want to ensure the truth of this matter is cleared and the misinformation and lies are corrected,” he stated.
Earlier, Tkatchenko and his daughter had come under fire for travelling with at least 10 officials to witness the coronation of King Charles at a cost of nearly $900,000, as reported by the local newspaper Post-Courier.
Confirming the number of officials, government spokesperson Bill Toraso told Reuters agency that 10 staff members had accompanied 10 guests to London.
Tkatchenko had earlier defended his daughter, branding her critics as “primitive animals” during an interview with Australia’s ABC. His remarks, which drew widespread condemnation, were later apologized for.
He clarified that his comments were aimed solely at individuals who had made “disgusting and vile comments” about his daughter, including “sexual and violent” threats.
Prime Minister Marape urged the citizens to accept Tkatchenko’s apology, admitting that he too had been offended by the comments.
The resignation unfolds just ahead of ‘s two-day visit to Papua New Guinea starting on 21 May, which will be followed by President Biden’s trip the next day.
The White House has confirmed that President Biden will make a stopover in Port Moresby after attending the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Japan.
