People Power Party's Heated Debate Over Public Apology for 'Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Imprisonment'

Kim Jong-in "Will Soon Decide Timing of Lee and Park's Public Apology"
Joo Ho-young "Some Say 'What's the Point of Apologizing Now?'"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, are deep in thought at a public hearing for the amendment of the Electric Utility Act hosted by Assemblyman Koo Ja-geun on the 17th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Opinions are divided within the People Power Party regarding a public apology related to the prosecution of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in stated that he plans to issue a public apology soon, while Floor Leader Joo Ho-young expressed concerns that it could provide grounds for unnecessary attacks, reflecting opinions within the party.

Chairman Kim told reporters after a virtual parliamentary meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, "Since I became the Emergency Committee Chairman, I have repeatedly talked about (a public apology)." He added, "Now is the time to make a judgment on the timing." He further said, "I will decide the timing and method myself."

Earlier, right after the guilty verdict against former President Lee was confirmed, on the 30th of last month, Kim had stated, "There are matters to wait for, so I will speak after they are concluded," indicating that he would apologize once the Supreme Court's retrial result for former President Park is announced.

On the other hand, Floor Leader Joo expressed support for a public apology but said, "(Opposing opinions) need to be internally coordinated."

He appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and conveyed the party atmosphere, saying, "There are opposing views such as, 'What is the point of apologizing now when the other side is persistently attacking? Wouldn't it only provide an excuse for the other side's stigmatization?'"

However, he added, "Since there was wrongdoing and the public has reproached us, even from that perspective, an apology (regarding the two former presidents) is necessary."

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim had made similar remarks earlier at a press conference marking 100 days since his appointment as Emergency Committee Chairman in September.

At that time, he said, "I have mentioned several times about the apology from former presidents, but since judicial procedures are ongoing, I plan to issue a public apology at an appropriate time after the judicial process is completed."

Former President Park was sentenced to 20 years in prison in both the retrial of the state affairs manipulation and the National Intelligence Service special activity funds bribery cases. The Supreme Court's retrial is currently underway.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.