Choi Jae-hyung: "I don't feel sincerity in Kim Hye-kyung's apology... Not excessive protocol but illegal protocol"

"Personal Use of Official Corporate Cards by Public Officials, Kim Hye-kyung Must Take Responsibility if Aware"

Choi Jae-hyung, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party Election Countermeasures Headquarters [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Wooseok] On the 10th, Choi Jae-hyung, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party's Election Countermeasures Headquarters, criticized Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, for her apology regarding the 'excessive protocol controversy,' saying, "The content does not specify what exactly was done wrong, so it lacks sincerity."

Choi appeared on YTN Radio's Hwang Bo-seon's Start New Morning program that day and said, "The term 'excessive protocol' itself is incorrect. It should be considered illegal protocol," pointing out, "Because the wife of a mayor or governor is not an official subject of protocol."

Regarding the mention of embezzlement charges in relation to Kim Hye-kyung's 'protocol controversy,' he stated, "It is naturally considered embezzlement in the course of duty if a public official uses a corporate card for personal purposes, and if Kim Hye-kyung was aware of this, she should also bear responsibility as an accomplice to a public official's crime. This is the legal perspective I am expressing."

In response to the host's question comparing Kim Hye-kyung's apology to that of Kim Geon-hee, spouse of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, and noting that Kim Hye-kyung was asked different questions, he said, "The questions she received were not specific, so the public likely did not accept them satisfactorily."

On the previous day (the 9th), Kim Hye-kyung held a press conference at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, to directly apologize for the recently raised 'excessive protocol controversy.' Kim 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," and bowed her head repeatedly, saying, "I will be more careful and vigilant going forward."

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