"Good Deed" vs "Just a Proxy Apology"... Mixed Reactions from the Ruling Party to 'Kim Jong-in's Public Apology'

Lee Nak-yeon, "Chairman Kim Should Lead the Entire Opposition in That Direction"
Jung Cheong-rae, "Person Leaving After Emergency Committee Term... What Qualification to Apologize?"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at the party leader-national city and provincial party policy agreement ceremony and meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, issued a public apology for the mistakes of former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, evaluations within the ruling party are divided. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, praised it as a "well-done act," while Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae criticized it as a "proxy apology."

On the 15th, Lee wrote on his Facebook, "I think Chairman Kim Jong-in's apology regarding the two former presidents is a well-done act."

He added, "I hope Chairman Kim will lead the entire party in that direction," and "We also take our historical responsibility seriously and will make further efforts."

On the other hand, voices of criticism arose within the party, suggesting it was merely a 'proxy apology.' Lawmaker Jung pointed out on Facebook that "If it is truly a mistake, Lee Myung-bak should apologize directly, and Park Geun-hye should apologize directly," and questioned, "What qualification does Kim Jong-in have to apologize?"

Regarding Chairman Kim, Jung said, "Is he really a member of the People Power Party?" and "I have never seen any article stating that Kim Jong-in joined the People Power Party. Even if he is a member, isn't he a rookie new member? He is not a representative elected at the party convention, and his term as emergency committee chairman is about to end, so why is he suddenly apologizing?" This is interpreted as criticism that Chairman Kim lacks representation of the opposition party.

He then emphasized, "If the People Power Party truly wants to apologize, follow the principle of the parties involved," and "Let Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye apologize directly."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, held an urgent press conference on the morning of the 15th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, promising a public apology regarding the detention of a former president along with personnel reform. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the same day and stated, "I sincerely apologize to the people for the simultaneous imprisonment of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye."

He continued, "The party that produces the president is entrusted by the people with the joint responsibility and authority to lead the country well," and emphasized, "The president's mistakes are also the ruling party's mistakes."

He reflected, "At that time, our party failed to fulfill the responsibilities of the ruling party, and we bear the heavy fault of not detecting and controlling problems in the ruling power in advance," and "We also failed to properly respond to the supporters' hopes to assist the president well."

He added, "Instead, we colluded, did not listen to the voice of history, and above all, failed to unite and caused division."

Chairman Kim apologized, saying, "For the first time in constitutional history, a president was impeached and stepped down, and although we should have been self-reflective, there was a lack of a mindset for reflection and introspection," and "I bow my head in apology for the disappointment the public may feel due to such outdated practices."

He concluded, "Taking this opportunity today, we will not neglect efforts to reflect, apologize, and seek the fundamental direction for innovation in our politics," and emphasized, "The People Power Party will seriously contemplate and prepare for livelihood and the economy to create hope with the power of the people."

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