"Self-Excuses and Sophistry" "Apology as if Doing a Favor"... Opposition Criticizes 'Cho Kuk's Apology'

"No Thorough Analysis of Mistakes"
"Sincerity Lighter Than a Sparrow's Feather"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 2nd, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for the 'Cho Kuk incident' and other power-related sexual misconduct cases involving ruling party figures. However, the opposition parties criticized the apology, saying there was "no respect for the people" and that it was "self-excuse."

Kim Yeryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement on the same day, saying, "Except for the public apology by former leader Lee Hae-chan, which was forced due to the Cho Kuk incident, we remember a government that has never once offered a sincere apology or deep reflection in the past four years," adding, "Song's belated apology, made almost two months after confirming public sentiment through the April 7 by-elections, was also soulless."

Regarding Song's comment that former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's memoir, Cho Kuk's Time, is "understood as a statement of rebuttal," Kim pointed out, "Phrases like 'heartbreaking,' 'political scapegoat,' and 'exiled sinner' are nothing more than extensions of self-excuse and sophistry."

In a verbal statement, Spokesperson Kim also criticized, "They did not conduct a thorough analysis or admit their own mistakes and failures, but merely offered excuses to gloss over some exposed parts," calling it a "'feast of words' and an 'empty shell' lacking sincerity in reflection or will to act."

Similarly, Heo Eun-ah, a member of the same party, wrote on Facebook that "(Song's apology) is only an apology for Cho Kuk's children's admission fraud issue," and criticized, "It seems like they are treating Cho Kuk, who should be judged for serious crimes, as a petty criminal and scapegoating him."

She further labeled Cho as a "'social divider,' 'destroyer of fairness,' and 'obliterator of justice,'" and condemned, "After throwing a small apology as if doing a favor, they issue a major threat toward former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, holds a press conference at the party leader's office in the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Ahn Hyejin, spokesperson for the People Party, also belittled the Democratic Party's apology as "lighter than a sparrow's feather."

She said, "It is fortunate that they included words like 'reflection' and 'apology' in various parts, thereby admitting their own incompetence in reform and double standards, but an apology with 'conditional options' is not a genuine apology. If they had first sternly told former Minister Cho to 'restrain himself,' it would have appeared as sincere reflection rather than a cautious, showy press conference."

Earlier, Song held a public sentiment listening report meeting at the National Assembly and apologized for the admission fraud issue involving former Minister Cho's children.

However, seemingly mindful of hardliners within the party and supporters, he said, "Legal issues are currently under trial, so we must wait for the results." He also criticized the prosecution, stating, "The standards for the prosecution's investigation into former Minister Cho's family should be applied equally to the family corruption of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and the corruption within the prosecution family."

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