"Mocking the People," "Flat Cider"... Opposition Launches Fierce Attack on Kim Hye-kyung's Apology

Kim Hye-kyung Apologizes for 'Excessive Protocol'... "Will Take Full Responsibility for Raised Suspicions"

Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, is offering a public apology on the 9th at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, ahead of a press conference to apologize for the excessive protocol controversy. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, issued a public apology on the 9th regarding the controversy over 'excessive protocol' surrounding her. In response, opposition parties dismissed it as a "meaningless apology" and a "flat soda-like press conference."

Ham In-kyung, full-time deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party's election campaign headquarters, criticized in a statement, "Kim's apology was a meaningless apology that mocked the public to the extent that one might say, 'Did you really think it was a genuine apology just because she said she was apologizing?'"

He added, "There was no specific content in the 'apology' at all. Not only was there no substance, but her attitude showed no sign of remorse. We cannot understand why the occasion for an 'apology' was even created, and with this apology that was worse than no apology, whistleblower A and the public were deceived once again," and pointed out, "The whistleblower who watched today's apology also said, 'She did not answer any important questions accurately.'"

He continued, "As the whistleblower said, what the public truly wants to know is 'to what extent does she admit to misusing the corporate card (law card)' and 'who ate all that food,' but there was not a single word of response on these matters," and questioned, "Exactly how much was spent on the corporate card? Who ate all that beef, sandwiches, and other food?"

Furthermore, he said, "Since she mentioned a 'sincere apology,' we expected a sincere apology. It was a waste of time," and added, "If a truth investigation is necessary, conduct a proper investigation, and if you want to apologize, apologize properly to the public again."

The People Party harshly criticized Kim's apology as a "flat soda." Hong Kyung-hee, spokesperson for the People Party's central election campaign headquarters, stated in a commentary, "It was a press conference like flat soda with the core missing," and pointed out, "She said she would take responsibility in words, but did not clarify how she would take responsibility."

She continued, "Kim, who is under suspicion, should have made an honest confession about the allegations of abuse of authority and embezzlement of public funds raised so far, rather than passing over with ambiguous expressions," and directly attacked, "The essence of this incident is the privatization of public power. In particular, it is a very malicious act of misusing the public's taxes as if they were their own petty cash and using public officials for private purposes." She also emphasized, "For the sake of restoring disrupted public service discipline, the suspicions must be clarified through a thorough investigation by judicial authorities."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited the Andong Kim Clan Hwasuhoe in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, with his spouse Kim Hye-kyung on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday and is taking a commemorative photo.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Justice Party also expressed a critical stance toward Kim's apology. Oh Hyun-joo, spokesperson for the Justice Party's election campaign headquarters, said in a written briefing on the same day, "The public's suspicions regarding the issues raised about Kim have not been resolved," and "We hope today's apology is sincere from the candidate couple."

Earlier, former employee A of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government's secretariat office revealed that while Lee was serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province, under the direction of Bae, a grade 5 public official in the general affairs department of the provincial government, she ran personal errands for Kim, including proxy prescription of medicine, food delivery, and wardrobe organization.

There was also controversy over claims that during this process, A first paid for side dishes with her personal card and later reimbursed the amount using the Gyeonggi Province's corporate card in a 'swapped payment' scheme.

As the controversy grew, Kim held a press conference on the same day and apologized for the excessive protocol controversy, saying, "I once again apologize to the public for the incidents caused by my shortcomings."

She said, "As the spouse of a public official, I should have been cautious in all respects and clearly distinguished between public and private matters, but I was very lacking. I sincerely apologize to the public, especially to the whistleblower," and added, "Even after the election, I will sincerely explain the raised suspicions and take full responsibility until the end."

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