"Who's Next?" Sexual Scandals, Gambling, False Credentials... Politicians' Risks Unfold One After Another

Family and Staff Risks Emerge One After Another
Ruling and Opposition Presidential Candidates Also Struggle with 'Family Risks'
Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Bows Over 'Son's Job Application' Issue

Recently, various 'risks' involving politicians' families, aides, and others have been emerging one after another. The photo shows the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Politicians from both ruling and opposition parties are facing difficulties due to various 'risks' involving family members and close associates. While the established major party presidential candidates have caused controversies over allegations related to their sons and wives, a new controversy has erupted following the exposure of a past sexual misconduct scandal involving a current lawmaker's aide.

According to multiple media reports on the 22nd, Mr. A, a secretary in the office of a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, posted an apology on his social media service (SNS) account on the 17th.

In the apology, he stated, "I committed a wrongdoing by taking photos without explicit consent during our relationship. Even when asked, I remained silent, which I wrongly assumed as consent." He added, "I overlooked the fact that a hierarchy of gender power operates between lovers. I sincerely apologize and reflect on my actions."

He further said, "While advocating for human rights, I myself acted without awareness or knowingly engaged in misogynistic behavior. I will reflect deeply to ensure I do not repeat the same mistakes. I will also faithfully fulfill any demands to restore the damage caused," emphasizing his commitment.

One day before Mr. A posted the apology, on the 16th, his ex-girlfriend Ms. B posted a lengthy expos? titled "Mr. A's Atrocities." According to her post, Mr. A was aware that Ms. B had trauma from past illegal filming and distribution but still demanded to film during sexual intercourse.

Ms. B did not respond to this demand. Nevertheless, Mr. A connected her to phone calls with others without prior consent and reportedly broadcasted the sexual encounter. He even uploaded detailed content about their sexual relationship on his public SNS account. Regarding this, Mr. A told the Chosun Ilbo in a phone interview, "I plan to resign soon," expressing his intention to step down.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is speaking at the 1st meeting of the Special Committee for COVID-19 Crisis Response held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 17th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, presidential candidates from both parties are also responding to various allegations and risks. Earlier, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, admitted and apologized for his son's illegal gambling allegations. On the 16th, he issued a statement saying, "The person who joined the card game site reported in the media and posted messages is indeed my son," adding, "He seemed to have been tempted for a certain period. As a parent, I was lacking in teaching my child."

Lee's eldest son, Mr. Lee, posted nearly 200 messages on an online gambling-related website from 2019 to 2020. He wrote about his experiences with potentially illegal online and offline gambling and referred to himself as a "gambling addict" or "gambler."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, apologized on the 17th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "I am sorry for causing concern to the people" regarding various controversies surrounding his spouse, Kim Geon-hee. / Photo by Yonhap News

Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, also bowed his head over allegations of false credentials involving his wife, Kim Gun-hee.

On the 17th, after attending a 'fundraising campaign' at the Yeouido party headquarters, Yoon apologized to reporters, saying, "I apologize to the public for causing concern due to controversies related to my wife." This was his first public comment three days after allegations against Kim surfaced on the 14th. However, Yoon did not address the specific allegations raised against Kim.

The ruling party criticized Yoon's apology as insufficient. Cho Seung-rae, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, said in a briefing on the 18th, "He read an apology for about a minute and left without looking back," calling it "Apology Season 2."

Kim Jin-guk, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, who was embroiled in controversy over his son's job application, tendered his resignation on the 21st. The photo shows Senior Secretary Kim greeting at the Blue House Chun Chugwon press briefing room last March. / Photo by Yonhap News

Senior officials at the Blue House were also not free from 'family risks.' On the 20th, Kim Jin-guk, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, who faced controversy over his son's job application, announced his resignation on the 21st, just one day after the issue surfaced.

Kim's son, Mr. Kim, reportedly wrote in his applications to five companies that "since my father is the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, I will help the company," which sparked the controversy.

In response, Kim said, "My son has been receiving treatment for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms," but added, "There is no excuse for this unacceptable act, and I sincerely apologize."

President Moon Jae-in immediately accepted Kim's resignation.

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