Yoon Camp's Kim Kyung-jin "Uncomfortable with 'forced show' comment on Yoon Seok-yeol's Gwangju apology... Schedule not finalized"

"'Some say it's like coming down to get hit by eggs'... uncomfortable"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is speaking at the People's Camp Gyeonggi Province Election Committee and Party Association Chairpersons meeting held at the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Office in Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The apology visit schedule to Gwangju by Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential primary candidate from the People Power Party and former Prosecutor General, has been effectively postponed until after the primary. Kim Kyung-jin, a former lawmaker and special advisor for external cooperation in Yoon’s campaign, mentioned the possibility of delay, saying, "Since there are comments calling the apology a 'forced show,' it makes us uncomfortable, and even within our team, opinions have not yet been settled."

Previously, after the backlash from his 'supportive remarks about former President Chun Doo-hwan' and the ensuing 'dog apology controversy,' Yoon had announced his intention to visit Gwangju in person to apologize.

On the 1st, Kim appeared on MBC Radio’s 'Pyo Chang-won’s News High Kick' and said, "Among the aides, there have been various exchanges and discussions regarding Yoon’s apology schedule in Gwangju, but no definitive conclusion has been reached."

He added, "Some say he should go to Gwangju to apologize immediately after the TV debate. However, Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju and local civic groups have issued statements saying, 'Isn’t he coming down deliberately to get egged to rally conservative votes?'" He said, "Hearing such remarks makes us very uncomfortable within our campaign."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is answering questions from reporters after concluding a meeting with the Gyeonggi Province campaign headquarters and party district chairpersons at the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Office in Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 19th of last month, Yoon visited the Haeundae-gap Party Member Council in Haeundae District, Busan, where he said, "Former President Chun Doo-hwan made mistakes except for the military coup and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, but many say he was good at politics," adding, "People from Honam also say such things."

When controversy over his supportive remarks about former President Chun arose, Yoon apologized for these comments. However, he later faced criticism for posting a photo on social media (SNS) of offering an apple to his pet dog, which led to doubts about his sincerity.

Ultimately, on the 23rd of last month, at a press conference held by the People Power Party’s Ulsan City branch, Yoon stated, "Rather than simply saying sorry, admitting fault, or apologizing, I will go to Gwangju to warmly comfort those who have wounds and trauma."

However, regarding this, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop appeared on TBS Radio’s 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory' and claimed, "(Yoon’s visit to Gwangju) is to get egged and to be victimized, showing oppression in Gwangju to rally the conservative camp."

He continued, "In the past, there have been various attempts to stage or highlight victimization to create favorable situations elsewhere, but the citizens of Gwangju do not fall for such tactics."

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