"Deep Reflection on Past Mistakes"... Can Kim Geon-hee, Bowing Her Head, Calm the Criticism?

Kim Gun-hee "Exaggerated career and made mistakes to look good... Please forgive me"
Democratic Party "Suspicion not resolved"
Kim Jong-in "Kim Gun-hee's apology message was acceptable"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the wife of the People Power Party's presidential candidate Kim Geon-hee, is issuing a statement regarding allegations of false credentials at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Gun-hee, wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, issued a public apology regarding allegations of false career claims. Kim, who had refrained from official appearances, seemed to have stepped forward due to the connection with Yoon's approval ratings. Recently, Yoon's approval ratings have been shaken by 'family risks' including Kim, internal conflicts within the election campaign committee, and a series of controversies.

Opinions on Kim's apology are divided both inside and outside the political circle. Within the party, it was positively evaluated as an opportunity for Yoon to create a turning point. On the other hand, some criticized that the apology was vague and did not clarify the facts regarding the false career allegations raised so far. Experts predict that Kim's apology will not have a significant impact on Yoon's approval rating rebound.

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 26th, Kim held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and issued a public apology for the allegations of false career entries, saying, "There were mistakes in balancing work and studies." This was Kim's first official appearance since Yoon declared his political participation on June 29.

Regarding the controversy over false career entries, Kim said, "I exaggerated my career to look better and made some mistakes. I shouldn't have done that, and looking back, it was very shameful." She added, "Everything is my fault and negligence. Please forgive me."

She continued, "It breaks my heart that my husband is being criticized because of me," and said, "I deeply reflect on my past mistakes and will be careful not to fall short of the people's expectations, and I will be even more cautious."

She also tearfully said, "I think all the pain my husband has gone through since our marriage is my fault," and "After marriage, we had a difficult time conceiving a child, but due to my husband's work, both his body and mind were exhausted, and we lost the child. I could not fulfill my husband's earnest wish to carry a beautiful child to work."

In particular, Kim appealed, "During the remaining election period, I will quietly reflect and introspect," and "Even if my husband becomes president, I will faithfully fulfill my role as a wife. Please take back your anger." The apology letter, which was about three pages long, is known to have been written by Kim herself.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the wife of the People Power Party's presidential candidate Kim Geon-hee, is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th after delivering a statement regarding allegations of false credentials.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Public reactions to Kim's apology are mixed. While some saw it as a sincere apology, others criticized that about half of the apology was more about expressing regret to her husband, Yoon, rather than to the public.

Kim, a 30-something office worker, said, "It must have been difficult to reveal personal matters like a miscarriage, but I saw sincerity in the apology," and added, "I think the apology was well done. If she hadn't apologized, the controversy surrounding Kim would have grown even larger."

On the other hand, Jung, a 20-something company employee, pointed out, "Shouldn't she specify what allegations she is apologizing for? Is it enough to just read a prepared apology letter? It's a public apology, but more than half of it is about apologizing to her husband. Also, if she vaguely says 'it was my fault,' will the public empathize with that apology?"

Despite Kim's appearance, the controversy over false career claims remains. She only read the prepared apology letter and left immediately without a Q&A session or detailed explanation regarding the false career allegations.

Voices criticizing this also emerged in the political sphere. Nam Young-hee, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, said in a briefing, "The public's suspicions about Kim's issues have not been resolved," and added, "We hope today's apology is sincere from the Yoon couple."

Lee Dong-hak, a senior member of the Democratic Party, also expressed on Facebook that it was a "zero-point apology," saying, "Both the content and delivery of the apology failed. It was a meaningless apology that did not specify what wrongdoing was committed."

However, Kim Jong-in, the head of the People Power Party's election campaign committee, praised Kim's public apology, saying, "Overall, the message was okay."

In a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency, he said about whether Kim's apology would serve as a turning point for Yoon's approval ratings, "I think one obstacle has been removed. Now that one problem is solved, others must be addressed."

Experts analyzed that Kim's public apology is related to the decline in Yoon's approval ratings. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "If Yoon's approval rating had not dropped, Kim might not have held a press conference. Since Yoon's approval rating is falling and there are results favoring Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, it seems Yoon's side hurriedly held the press conference."

He added, "I don't think Yoon's approval rating will rebound because of Kim's apology. It may prevent further decline, but a new turning point is needed for the approval rating to rise."

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