Kim Yong-min: "Democratic Party, Stop Targeting Cho Kuk... Say You Lost the Presidential Election Because of Me"

"Say I lost because of my sexual bribery remarks"
"Claims that blaming Cho Kuk is a scapegoating excuse"

Podcast 'Naneun Kkomsuda' alumnus Kim Yong-min / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kim Yongmin, a former member of the podcast "Naneun Kkomsuda" who sparked controversy with his remarks about Kim Gunhee, the spouse of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, regarding 'sexual bribery,' said, "Go ahead and blame me for the defeat in the presidential election."

On the 16th, Kim wrote on his Facebook, "Stop attacking Cho Kuk and his family, who are already wounded beyond repair," expressing this sentiment.

On the same day, Chae I-bae, an emergency committee member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the Democratic Party's Gwangju branch emergency meeting, "The Moon Jae-in administration, born from impeachment and candlelight protests, initially received overwhelming public support, but we reflect on and apologize for losing the people's trust due to personnel failures, double standards, and unfairness," adding, "The biggest trigger was the Cho Kuk incident."

Kim appears to be reacting against the so-called 'Cho Kuk responsibility theory' raised by some within the ruling party.

He said, "'Cho Kuk responsibility theory' will probably come up again after losing the local elections, and it might also appear in the 22nd general election and the 21st presidential election," adding, "Just as I am still summoned as the person responsible for the 2012 general election defeat. But I admit it, it's my fault. I foolishly coveted a badge despite being an untouchable, so I think it's only natural to be spat on even in the grave."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk / Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "But why Cho Kuk? If the 'Cho Kuk responsibility theory' is correct, shouldn't there have been a crushing defeat in the 2020 general election? What did Cho Kuk do? Did he run for office? Did he join the party? He is quietly undergoing trial," he questioned. "Why drag someone unrelated to the party into a stabbing attack over something from three years ago? Why are you so desperate to crush him?"

He added, "It's to hide your own responsibility. You need a scapegoat to avoid blame," and said, "Just shift the responsibility for this presidential election defeat onto me. Say we lost because of the sexual bribery remarks."

Earlier, on the 3rd, Kim had posted on Facebook harsh words targeting President-elect Yoon and his spouse. He claimed, "Yoon Seok-yeol, a competitor of Lee Jae-myung, received various gifts including meat while working as a prosecutor," and "It is strongly suspected that he received sexual bribery from Kim Gunhee in exchange for various investigative favors."

This sparked strong criticism not only from the People Power Party but also within the Democratic Party. Former Democratic Party spokesperson for the election committee, Heo Young-il, at the time said, "I hope Kim Yongmin is investigated by the prosecution for spreading false information," and criticized, "He pretends to support the Democratic Party with his words but actually serves the People Power Party."

As the controversy grew, Kim wrote again, "Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, if it helps Lee Jae-myung's election, please prosecute me," adding, "I have no party affiliation anyway and have never received an appointment from the election committee, so I am just an external netizen who can be decisively cut off without any concern."

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