Controversy Over Kim Geon-hee's False Resume Entry... Ruling Party Accuses "Forgery of Private Documents," Opposition Vows "Full Defense"

Democratic Party Apologizes for Criminal Acts
People Power Party: Incident Occurred Before Marriage

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] As the controversy over the "false career" of Kim Gun-hee, wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, flared up again on the 14th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed strongly. The People Power Party acknowledged some issues with the documents but defended Yoon, saying, "This happened long before he married the candidate," while the Democratic Party of Korea demanded an apology from Yoon, citing it as a criminal act of "forgery of private documents."

The controversy, triggered by a broadcast report on the day, centers on Kim submitting false career documents when applying for a position at Suwon Women's University in 2007. It was alleged that she listed experience working at an association that had not yet been established and claimed awards she never received. According to the report, Kim stated in her career history that she worked as a planning director in the planning team of the Korea Game Industry Association from March 2002 for three years, but the association was established in June 2004.

Regarding the award mentioned, the grand prize at the Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival in August 2004, there were also claims that Kim did not submit any entries herself. It was pointed out that the submission was made by a company, not an individual, yet she allegedly exaggerated her career as if she had won the award personally. In an interview with the media confirming these facts, Kim responded, "I don't remember some parts." She partially admitted the issue related to the award, saying, "It was my greed to stand out. If that is a sin, then it is a sin," but the media reported that she generally reacted as if it was a "minor matter."

Regarding the series of controversies, Choi Ji-hyun, senior deputy spokesperson of the campaign committee, explained that the certificate of employment from the Korea Game Industry Association was due to a "mistake in the employment period" and that Kim had actually been active there. However, party leader Lee Jun-seok appeared on the radio and said, "Since this happened long before the candidate and his spouse got married, we should consider it in that light," but also added, "She made statements that seem to deny some parts and admit others, so I think we should accept it as such."

The Democratic Party demanded an apology from candidate Yoon. Park Chan-dae, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party's campaign committee, said, "If the report is true, Kim forged private documents to get a job at Suwon Women's University," and pointed out, "The fact that it was before marrying (Yoon) cannot be an excuse to avoid verification." Lawmaker Woo Sang-ho also criticized, saying, "The statute of limitations may have passed, but isn't this illegal behavior?" and "Compared to the commendation certificates of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's son and daughter, this is a far more serious crime."

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