"Cheonan Ship Apology Absent at Summit?"... Choi Jae-hyung and Yoon Seok-yeol 'Clash'

Preliminary candidates for the People Power Party's presidential primary are taking a commemorative photo at the 4th broadcast debate of the presidential primary held on the 28th at MBC in Sangam-dong, Seoul. From the left: Hwang Kyo-ahn, Yoo Seung-min, Choi Jae-hyung, Ahn Sang-soo, Ha Tae-kyung, Yoon Seok-youl, Hong Joon-pyo, and Won Hee-ryong. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Choi Jae-hyung, former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection and a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, clashed with former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl over the 'Cheonan Incident.' Choi criticized Yoon's past remark that he would hold a summit without an apology for the Cheonan sinking.

On the 28th, during the People Power Party's 4th debate broadcast on MBC's '100-Minute Debate' starting at 11:30 PM, Choi directed at Yoon, "In a media interview, when asked if the past conservative government set an apology for the Cheonan sinking as a condition for dialogue, you said it was 'a problem similar to Japan-Korea relations,'" adding, "This means you believe a meeting can take place without an apology."

Choi continued, "Can former Prosecutor General Yoon persuade the bereaved families of the Cheonan sinking victims with such words?" and questioned, "Can you say that this is a country where those who sacrificed for the nation do not feel anger?"

In response, Yoon explained, "Even before receiving an apology for the Cheonan incident, a summit with Kim Jong-un can be held," adding, "However, that summit must produce some results and should not be just a show. If the relationship is improved through that, an apology for the Cheonan incident can be obtained."

Yoon also said, "The North and South really need to hold an important summit between leaders, and it cannot be avoided just because there is no apology for the Cheonan incident," adding, "Japan was mentioned as a similar example."

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