Lee Jae-myung Repeatedly Apologizes for the Cho Kuk Incident... "'Double Standards' Are Wrong, Must Take Responsibility for Even Small Faults"

"Democratic Party Says 'We Must Accept It Since We've Advocated for a Fair Society'"

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, repeatedly apologized for the so-called 'Cho Kuk incident.'

On the afternoon of the 6th, Lee appeared on MBC's 'News Outside' and said, "The public demands a higher moral standard from the democratic camp," adding, "Whether the mistake is big or small, a mistake is a mistake, and since the Democratic Party has been advocating for a transparent and fair society, we must accept this."

Lee pointed out, "It is not appropriate for public officials to say, 'Our mistakes are not as big compared to the other side, so talk about their mistakes as well,'" and added, "As the democratic camp that has been advocating for a fair society, it is right to take great responsibility even for small faults."

He continued, "In that regard, our Democratic Party did not take sufficient responsibility. The so-called 'naeronambul' (double standards: 'If I do it, it's romance; if others do it, it's an affair') attitude is what angers the public," he added.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, appeared on MBC's 'News Outside' on the 6th and apologized for the so-called 'Cho Kuk incident.'
Photo by MBC 'News Outside' capture.

However, regarding the prosecution's investigation methods toward former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's family, Lee said, "I believe the prosecution conducted a fishing expedition and harsh separate investigations to resist 'prosecutorial reform,'" and pointed out, "The investigation into Cho Kuk's family most clearly showed why prosecutorial reform is necessary."

He continued, "The prosecution's behavior was wrong, especially the excessive search and seizure issues and the horse-racing and witch-hunt style dissemination of false information by the prosecution. I was subjected to the same treatment," he said.

Furthermore, Lee said, "The Democratic Party has sufficiently expressed grievances about this issue so far," adding, "However, we have not taken a responsible attitude regarding the parts we should be accountable for. I am apologizing in the spirit of taking responsibility, even if it is just me, regarding the Cho Kuk incident."

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