Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee Firmly Deny False Career Allegations... "Part-Time Lecturers Are Not Hired Through Open Recruitment"

"Part-time Honorary Position Is Not About Going to Work"
Jin Joong-kwon "Response Seriously Inappropriate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, responded to allegations of false career claims regarding his spouse Kim Gun-hee by saying, "Look at the reality carefully and judge what it is based on customs and other factors."

On the 15th, Yoon met with reporters in front of the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and after pausing, said, "Let me ask one thing." Unlike his refined demeanor in public appearances since his nomination, he appeared somewhat agitated.

He said, "If you have someone close to you who is affiliated with a university, ask them how part-time lecturers are hired," adding, "Part-time lecturers are not publicly recruited based on majors or such."

Regarding the suspicion that Kim had never worked at the association listed on her resume, he said, "(A director) does not go to work," and added, "Don't just listen to what they are saying over there; if you know someone at a university, ask them."

As he left the party headquarters, he reiterated his denial of the allegations, saying, "External lecturers are appointed," and "If someone in academia recommends a person, they are simply appointed, and there is no need to receive documents required for open competition."

Yoon explained, "As you know, a director does not work at a specific place," and "They just provide advice and counsel."

He also emphasized, "There are many directors in the Constitutional Law Association; what do those people do? They hold 'unpaid, part-time honorary positions,'" and "They just submit such documents (resumes)."

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon expressed concern over Yoon's response, saying, "The candidate's response is highly inappropriate." On Facebook, he said, "Why make unnecessary excuses?" and added, "It seems he understands an ethical situation that requires an apology as a political situation to overcome. Isn't that the path Cho Kuk and the Democratic Party took?"

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