[On-site Video] "Negative" vs "Must Explain" Yoon Seok-yeol's Wife Kim Geon-hee 'Julie' Controversy

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, Jingun Yoon, and Kyungdo Lee, PD] "I am stressed." "If there are suspicions, they should be clarified."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol announced his presidential candidacy on the 29th of last month at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Meanwhile, in political circles, suspicions have been raised that his wife, Kim Gun-hee, may have worked at a nightlife establishment in the past. Some even claimed that Kim used the stage name ‘Julie’.

Among citizens, there is controversy over whether this is just a ‘negative’ attack commonly seen during election seasons. Opinions among the public are divided. Some believe that if negative campaigning can help improve the lives of the people, it can be viewed positively, while others express fatigue, saying it is nothing more than ‘smear campaigns’ and ‘false information’.

A man in his 50s, office worker A, said, "If there is something wrong, it is right to verify it, but what matters is whether raising the issue helps the country or the people." He added, "I think turning it into political strife through negative strategies does not help the country."

Another office worker in his 40s, B, said, "Political behavior that attacks by spreading rumors without any evidence should disappear," adding, "I believe the public no longer easily sympathizes with or is swayed by rumors as they did in the past."

Meanwhile, during the ‘April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election,’ controversies such as the ‘Naegok-dong speculation allegations’ against candidate Oh Se-hoon also arose. The opposition party refuted these claims, calling them clear negative campaigns.

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