Yoon Hee-sook: "Ruling Party, Please Don't Make It a 'Resignation Show'... Our Country's Politics Rolling in the Trash"

"Think They Have Abandoned Human Decency"
"Lawmakers Who Risk Their Seats Should Also Resign"

On the afternoon of the 27th, Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party who declared her resignation from the National Assembly and withdrawal from the presidential preliminary race, is leaving the Communication Hall at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, after holding a press conference regarding allegations of land speculation involving her father. 2021.8.27 [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party who resigned from her position as a member of the National Assembly and from the presidential candidate primary due to allegations of her father's real estate speculation, returned to the National Assembly press conference room after two days. After the press conference on the 27th, Yoon told reporters, "After announcing my resignation, I thought it was not proper to engage in external activities, so I did not schedule anything," adding, "(However) I could no longer stand watching our country's politics rolling around in this trash can."

The reason Yoon held the press conference that day was because she could no longer endure the ruling party's barrage of criticism that continued immediately after her resignation announcement. Yoon said, "I came out because I thought the comments made over the past two days not only betrayed the duties of a politician but also the duties of a human being." She also said, "Over the past two days, I have heard a lot of criticism from the Democratic Party accusing me of putting on a resignation show," adding, "I don't understand why those who criticize me for putting on a resignation show are rejecting it. I earnestly ask you to make it so that it is not a resignation show." She further added, "(From the Democratic Party) if they quickly accept my resignation, I will think about what to do with my life, but if they don't, I will continue to return my salary and submit my resignation again."

Yoon directly mentioned the names of 10 ruling party lawmakers who criticized her resignation as a 'show,' saying, "Among the ten members of the National Assembly, some even say they will stake their own seats," and added, "The moment I start being investigated, they should also promise to resign, and the moment I am cleared, I think Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and broadcaster Kim Eo-jun should take responsibility."

On the afternoon of the 27th, Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party who declared her resignation from the National Assembly and withdrawal from the presidential primary race, answered reporters' questions after holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding allegations of land speculation involving her father. 2021.8.27 [Photo by Yonhap News]

Even after the press conference, she continued to clarify the allegations when meeting with reporters. Regarding her father's real estate transactions overall, she said, "I don't know how much my father's assets are. Probably my older brother doesn't know either," adding, "When the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission asked for an explanation, I asked my father, and he said he had leased from the Korea Rural Community Corporation, so I had no worries." She added, "I think my father had no intention of illegal acts," but also said, "If there is (any wrongdoing), he will be legally punished, and I will stand by his side."

Regarding the suspicion that she did not actually live in the apartment she received through a special supply in Sejong City, she explained, "I lived in the Korea Development Institute (KDI) official residence and was kicked out as soon as the apartment was completed. I lived there for seven years," adding, "When I ran for election, I thought I could no longer return, so I rented it out." About the capital gains, she explained, "When I was assigned to the Planning and Finance Committee as a standing member, I was worried that my voice would lose weight if I acted as a multi-homeowner, so I put the house up for sale," adding, "But no one was interested until Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon announced the relocation to Sejong City, and suddenly people flocked. I sold it at the originally listed price."

However, she expressed regret about her statement in last year's National Assembly plenary session where she said, "I am a tenant." She said, "At that time, I rented out a house in Donam-dong for 330 million won and had a lease of 700 million won in Seocho-dong," adding, "When I posted on Facebook at the time, I said I was both a landlord and a tenant, but the five-minute speech was made under great pressure, and I only said I was a tenant. Later, many people pointed this out, so I humbly reflect on this."

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