"Lee Jae-myung Did It Too..."... Yoon Seok-yeol Contemplates 'Public Apology' Over Kim Geon-hee's False Career Controversy

Kim Jong-in "Kim Gun-hee said she would apologize herself, so we must wait"
Campaign Committee "Internal discussions including apology ongoing"... Campaign Committee "Follow-up measures inevitable"
Eom Tae-hwan's gambling controversy, Lee Jae-myung's prompt apology "I apologize as a father"

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok, Gu Chae-eun, Park Joon-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is considering making a direct public apology on the 16th regarding the controversy over his wife's false career credentials. Although his wife, Kim Geon-hee, had already expressed her intention to apologize the day before, it seems that the judgment was made that it would be difficult to quell the critical public opinion unless the candidate himself steps forward. Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, who faced issues related to his son's gambling problem, immediately issued a public apology, putting both major party candidates in a difficult position over family-related issues.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is leaving the party headquarters after attending the New Era Preparation Committee's welcome ceremony for new recruits held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th. He is moving without making any special remarks in response to reporters' questions regarding his wife, Kim Geon-hee. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Kim Jong-in, the general election campaign committee chairman of the People Power Party, said regarding the controversy over the submission of false career credentials when Kim applied for a concurrent professorship, "Since Kim herself said yesterday that she would apologize, we need to wait and see how and in what form the apology will be made," adding, "We cannot say anything about it." Chairman Kim tried to separate the campaign committee from the issue by mentioning, "The campaign committee cannot issue a personal apology," but also referred to "public judgment" and indicated that they would monitor public opinion trends, leaving open the possibility of follow-up responses.

According to officials from the election campaign committee, Candidate Yoon is also internally considering follow-up measures such as a public apology. A campaign official said, "Even if an apology is made, we need to look at the form and content, and even if no apology is made, we need to examine the facts and the specific allegations." Reporters gathered around Kim's office to hear additional statements such as a public apology, but Yoon's side explained, "Kim has no plans to come to the office." For now, it appears that both Candidate Yoon and Kim are employing a strategy to buy time by contemplating the content and form rather than making a swift public apology.

The People Power Party also took a stance to first clarify the facts by issuing rebuttal statements calling it a "false frame" on the same day. However, the fact that Candidate Lee immediately apologized when his son's gambling controversy surfaced is becoming a factor pressuring Candidate Yoon.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, bows his head after apologizing for his son's gambling allegations following the launch ceremony of the Social Transition Committee held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

When the issue was reported in the media, Candidate Lee said, "As a parent, I was lacking in teaching my child," and added, "As a father, I bow my head and apologize together with my son. I will make sure this never happens again. He will also receive treatment." On the same day, a media outlet raised suspicions of habitual online gambling by Lee's eldest son, Lee Mo (29).

Within the People Power Party's campaign committee and leadership, there is growing support for the necessity of a public apology.

Kim Jae-won, a supreme council member of the People Power Party, appeared on a radio show and said, "She (Kim) said she would apologize because it does not meet the public's expectations, and I believe follow-up measures will be taken," adding, "I think there will be appropriate consultations to take measures to ease the public's concerns."

Lee Soo-jung, co-chair of the People Power Party's campaign committee, also said, "Regarding the parts that appear to be false career credentials, an apology must definitely be made, and if there are illegal elements, I think an investigation should be conducted." Regarding the possibility of Candidate Yoon making a public apology, Lee predicted, "It is expected to happen today or tomorrow."

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