Kim Gun-hee, Two Days Before Apology Press Conference: "I Am Being Demonized"

Controversy Over Translation Error: "I Was Inadequate... Lacked Skill"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and his wife Kim Geon-hee are announcing 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] Two days before making a public apology, Kim Geon-hee, wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, said, "I am almost being demonized right now. If I don't appear at all, I think the public would be happiest."

In a voice interview with YTN released on the 27th, Kim said about her public appearance plans, "There may or may not be plans. We have to see now." This interview was conducted on the 24th, two days before Kim's public apology on the 26th.

In the interview, Kim expressed her frustration, saying her remarks were maliciously edited and reported. She said, "When someone suddenly speaks, if they cut off the context and report only that part, how malicious is that? I've been subjected to so much malice..." She added, "It would be good if they reported things as they are. In the future, it would be better to inquire with the public relations team."

She continued, "I have fears about such things, and I don't think it's right," adding, "Also, it's my shortcoming, so what can I do? If I am lacking, I should be evaluated accordingly."

She also said that her life before marriage might not be a public concern. She said, "If it were a public concern, I could understand, but the work I did before marriage may not be a public concern," adding, "Now that I am the wife of a public official, that's different, but during my student days, I was just very young..."

Regarding criticism that there were many translation errors in a book she participated in as a translator in the past, she said, "I was very lacking." YTN reported that many translation errors were found in the book 'Digital Media Storytelling,' published in 2006, in which Kim participated as a translator.

Kim said, "I was very lacking, and at that time, I had too many things to do, so I was very, very busy," adding, "I had to give lectures, work on my doctorate, and do many other things, so I must have been very lacking."

She continued, "At that time, my skills were insufficient, so there could have been shortcomings, but what good does it do to talk about it now?" She said, "If the translation was wrong, readers can just not buy it. Asking me now won't change the past."

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the 26th, Kim held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and apologized regarding the false career allegations, saying, "There were mistakes on my part while balancing work and studies."

She said, "I exaggerated my career to look good and also wrote some things incorrectly. I shouldn't have done that, and looking back, it was very shameful," appealing, "Everything is my fault and negligence. Please forgive me."

She added, "During the remaining election period, I will quietly reflect and contemplate," and said, "Even if my husband becomes president, I will focus only on my role as a wife. Please calm your anger."

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