Yoon Does Not Express Regret Over 'Luxury Bag'... Ruling Party Holds Back While Opposition Raises Voices

No Mention at People Power Party Emergency Committee Meeting
People Power Party: "It Will Help Approval Ratings"
Democratic Party: "It Only Fueled Public Anger"

The leadership of the People Power Party maintained a cautious stance by refraining from comments related to President Yoon Suk-yeol's special interview, which did not include an apology or expression of regret regarding the allegations of First Lady Kim Geon-hee receiving luxury handbags. However, individual lawmakers expressed opinions that the related controversy might have been settled for the time being. The opposition party criticized the president, saying he only fueled public anger.

Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, expressed gratitude to uniformed public officials who dedicated themselves during the holiday period and introduced the progress of the briquette volunteer work scheduled for the morning during his public remarks at the emergency committee meeting on the 8th. Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, only mentioned criticisms of the Democratic Party's adoption of a mixed-member proportional representation system and the opposition of the Medical Association to the expansion of medical school quotas leading to strikes. Chairman Han is expected to express his opinion during a meeting with reporters after the briquette volunteer work that day, which is likely to be the first official party statement regarding the special interview.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is visiting Seoul Station on the 8th to greet returning travelers. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

President Yoon did not express an apology or regret regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim’s receipt of luxury handbags during the KBS special interview the previous night. However, he characterized the nature of the controversy as "a political plot" and mentioned, "The problem was not cutting it off coldly," and "From now on, I will handle things more clearly and firmly, drawing the line decisively when necessary."

From the ruling party’s perspective, they hope that this issue will be ‘settled’ through this interview as the election approaches. However, it remains questionable whether the president’s remarks meet the public’s expectations. Kim Kyung-yul, a People Power Party emergency committee member who had called for a public apology from President Yoon and the First Lady regarding the luxury handbag allegations, only said to reporters that it was "regrettable."

Some party insiders are voicing that it is time to move on to the next stage regarding this issue. Jang Sung-min, former Future Strategy Planning Officer at the Presidential Office, said in a YTN radio interview, "The president’s expression showed that he is deeply troubled as he explained the whole story," and added, "It might be best to leave this matter to the president and see what decision he makes."

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Jung-hoon expressed the opinion that the First Lady should resume her public activities in a BBS radio interview. Lawmaker Cho said, "(She should) be active but more humbly, more sincerely, and engage in activities that can embrace the painful parts of our people."

People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong-ho said on SBS radio, "Although it was not enough, I think he expressed his feelings and circumstances to the public in his own way," and evaluated that it "will help (the president and the party’s approval ratings)." People Power Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min said on CBS radio, "I think an apology along with an explanation was necessary," but added, "If an apology is made, it would lead to calls for a state audit or special investigation, spreading like wildfire, which has been the pattern so far, so I think this level was chosen."

On the other hand, the opposition party pointed out that it only fueled anger.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the policy coordination meeting that day, "President Yoon tried to cover up his awkward situation with a well-scripted New Year’s interview, but it only added to the disappointment and public outrage," and added, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s airing of promotional videos through KBS was a time that only confirmed their lack of communication." Hong criticized, "Regarding issues that receive public condemnation, they tried to pass it off with excuses rather than free questions and truthful answers," and said, "It only fueled anger."

Park Joo-min, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "To protect the First Lady, there was neither an apology nor even an expression of regret," and added, "The majority of the public, who expected at least a word of apology, cannot help but be angry." Im Oh-kyung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party floor, told reporters, "The public wanted to hear comforting messages from the president in difficult times," and said, "However, regarding the First Lady’s wrongdoing, being accused as a hidden camera factory like this is infuriating beyond measure."

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