Ruling Party Spokesperson "Felt It Was Harsh..." Gets Emotional Watching Kim Hye-kyung's Apology

"Don't know why the apology was made," criticized
Ruling party spokesperson: "No one contradicted when Kim Geon-hee apologized..."
"What more should be added, it's harsh"

Nam Young-hee, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea's election campaign committee, is wiping away tears while watching Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, apologize to the public. Photo by MBN

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid the apology from Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, regarding allegations that she ordered civil servants to run personal errands and misused corporate cards, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s election campaign committee (ECC), who was watching the live broadcast, showed signs of emotional distress, saying, "It seems too harsh."

On the 9th, Nam Young-hee, spokesperson for the Democratic Party ECC, who appeared on MBN's 'News Fighter,' responded to criticism that Kim’s apology lacked clear answers to the public’s suspicions by saying, "The current situation is very difficult. It is natural that the candidate’s spouse undergoes thorough scrutiny, but I believe there are limits to how sincerely the media can cover this."

Spokesperson Nam said, "(Kim) made a really difficult decision to apologize. She came forward and said as much as she could to the public and offered a sincere apology, yet there are people who view it from a different perspective," adding, "I think this point is very harsh." He continued, "Kim included the ongoing investigation and audit situations in her apology and promised to handle everything going forward. What more could be added or said?"

He then said, "First of all, I also apologize for the fact that something that should never have happened did happen. The unclear distinction between public and private matters due to long-standing personal relationships is a serious issue," but suddenly shifted the topic toward the People Power Party by saying, "When Kim Gun-hee, spouse of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, apologized for false credentials and allegations of stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, how did the reporters react?"

He added, "During Kim Gun-hee’s apology, despite it being a press conference, there were no questions asked, and no one contradicted her before leaving the venue," and said, "Even though these matters cannot be weighed by degree of severity, it is bewildering and regrettable that such things happen. It is upsetting, and it is hard to be here."

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

Earlier, Kim held a press conference at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and bowed her head, saying, "As the spouse of a public official, I should have been cautious in all matters and distinguished between public and private affairs, but I was very lacking. I sincerely apologize to the public, especially to the whistleblower."

However, Kim did not provide specific answers to additional questions from reporters following her reading of the statement. When asked, "To what extent do you admit the facts, including the misuse of the corporate card?" she replied, "I heard that an investigation and audit are currently underway. I will take responsibility according to the results."

When asked, "A large amount of food was delivered to your residence. Who ate it?" she avoided a direct answer, saying, "I have no intention of evading responsibility. I consider it my fault. I think Mr. A, the whistleblower, is the victim."

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