Kim Yong-pan: "Yoon Seok-yeol Must Apologize Before Entering Politics"

People Power Party Brings Former Prosecutor General Yoon's Responsibility Debate to the Forefront

On the 28th, Kim Yong-pan, a member of the People Power Party who was indicted on charges of exerting external pressure during the investigation of the 2012 National Intelligence Service comment manipulation case but was acquitted by the Supreme Court, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, demanding an apology from former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who was the head of the special prosecution team at the time. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The People Power Party has publicly raised past accountability issues regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the 28th, Rep. Kim Yong-pan of the People Power Party held a press conference at the National Assembly and stated, "If former Prosecutor General Yoon has decided to become a political leader, the top priority should be an apology," adding, "He must go through a sincere process of 과물탄개 (過勿憚改)," quoting a Confucian Analects phrase meaning "One should not hesitate to correct mistakes."

Rep. Kim was prosecuted on charges of downplaying and covering up the National Intelligence Service's online comment manipulation scandal while serving as the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, but was acquitted by the Supreme Court in February 2015. At that time, former Prosecutor General Yoon was the head of the special investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Rep. Kim said, "I was wrongfully prosecuted and underwent a two-year trial," and added, "I never actually ordered any cover-up or downplaying, so the acquittal was a natural conclusion."

On the 8th, former Rep. Yoo Seung-min also said, "(Former Prosecutor General Yoon) was the special prosecutor team leader who requested a 30-year prison sentence for former President Park Geun-hye," and added, "The arrest, indictment, and sentencing by the court were too harsh."

Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, a four-term senior lawmaker running for floor leader, said on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" on the same day, "This is not a party-level issue but now a personal issue of Rep. Kim Yong-pan," but also mentioned, "Prosecutor General Yoon is not a god. There may be mistakes, and he can clarify those from his perspective."

There was also analysis that this could be an opportunity for former Prosecutor General Yoon. Jang Sung-chul, director of the Sympathy and Debate Policy Center, explained, "The key is how wisely he overcomes this. This incident is just one or two hurdles out of a hundred. If he can embrace and accept it, it could be a chance for former Prosecutor General Yoon to prove himself as a great politician."

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