Yoon Seok-yeol Apologizes Reluctantly... Will 'Gaesagwa Season 2' Repeat?

Apology Five Days After Repeated Denials
Criticism Over Lack of Sincerity in Content and Form

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, has expressed an apology regarding the false career allegations related to his wife, Kim Gun-hee. However, criticisms are emerging that the apology lacked sincerity in terms of content, form, and process.

On the 17th, Yoon met with reporters at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and bowed his head, saying, "I apologize to the people for causing concern due to the controversy involving my wife." This came five days after the false career allegations against Kim surfaced.

Although he bowed his head amid intense public attention, it seems difficult to avoid controversy over the sincerity of his apology.

The core message of the apology statement was, "Regardless of the reasons, not accurately stating the career details and causing controversy itself goes against the fairness and common sense I have emphasized." However, the apology did not include specific mentions, acknowledgments, or denials of the various allegations related to Kim. Instead, it only apologized for "causing controversy."

Regarding this, on the morning of the 18th, after visiting the public recruitment site for youth aides, Yoon told reporters in response to the question, "Are you admitting that Kim’s career is false, or exactly what part are you apologizing for?" that he would "no comment" and added, "I spoke to the public on behalf of my wife because we do not know what issues may arise in the future."

This shows little change from his previous stance of "I will apologize after the facts are clarified" before expressing the apology. Previously, Yoon had strongly denied the controversy for five days after Kim’s allegations surfaced. At the Kwanhun Club debate on the 14th, regarding the plagiarism allegations of a thesis, he said, "If it is plagiarism, it is common sense to revoke the degree," but added, "That thesis is essentially an experimental paper, so it is not something that can be copied from someone else." On the 15th, he also rebutted, saying, "Being a part-time lecturer is not subject to open recruitment based on major or such," and "Look at the reality and customs to judge what it is."

Moreover, given the seriousness of the matter, there are evaluations that the response was inadequate because the apology was made not in an official setting but at a back briefing room.

Previously, Yoon repeatedly denied the controversy whenever it arose but eventually apologized to calm public opinion. When he faced criticism for his remarks defending former President Jeon Du-hwan in October, he criticized the media, saying, "My true intention was distorted." Two days later, on the 21st, he expressed regret by saying, "I humbly accept the criticism and comments," but as sincerity controversies continued, he apologized again within four hours, saying, "I apologize to those who suffered under the Jeon Du-hwan regime." However, the next day, he posted a photo on his Instagram account offering an apology to his pet dog, which fueled further controversy, and on the 10th of last month, he visited Gwangju in person to apologize.

In this context, criticisms continue that these are "forced apologies" made under pressure from declining approval ratings and public opinion. On the 18th, Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party’s presidential campaign committee, criticized in a briefing, calling it "simply Apology Season 2," and said, "The content of the apology clearly showed that Yoon was forced to step forward reluctantly." The day before, Won Hee-ryong, head of the People Power Party’s policy headquarters, also commented on MBC radio that the apology was "belated."

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