Hong Jun-pyo's Controversy Over 'Yoon as a Tough Guy' Remark... "Inappropriate Comment" "The President Is Different from Ordinary People"

Ahn Cheol-soo "Prosecutor personnel moves cause public misunderstanding... regrettable"
Park Ji-won "Yoon should not be loyal only to spouse"

Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo is facing backlash after describing President Yoon Seok-yeol as a "tough man," while political circles are increasingly demanding that investigations into First Lady Kim Kun-hee proceed according to principle, regardless of the recent prosecution personnel changes.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized Mayor Hong's remark on the CBS radio program 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 16th, saying, "That is a civilian's comment. It is highly inappropriate for a public official, who has duties to the people, to say such things."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are returning to South Korea on Air Force One at Seongnam Seoul Airport after completing their state visits to the United Kingdom and France last November. Photo by Yonhap News Agency, Office of the President

Earlier, Mayor Hong responded to criticism that the recent prosecution personnel changes were made to protect First Lady Kim Kun-hee by saying, "It's not about protection but at least the duty of a tough man." On the 14th, he posted on his Facebook, "If it were you, would you maintain your position while your legal status is under investigation and uncertain, and throw your woman to a pack of hyenas?" adding, "Even if you face criticism, you must conduct yourself like a man."

This statement has been interpreted as defending President Yoon Seok-yeol. Recently, with the sudden reshuffle of the prosecution leadership overseeing investigations related to First Lady Kim Kun-hee, opposition parties have raised concerns that the investigations might be hindered.

Regarding this, Ahn said, "There is an old saying that you should not even adjust your hat string under a plum tree, and I think this might be such a case," adding, "It would be better if they did not do things that could cause public misunderstanding, and that is regrettable."

However, he believed that the prosecution personnel changes would not affect the investigation into the First Lady. Ahn stated, "The case itself is quite simple. There are only two people involved in the luxury bag bribery allegations, and there is video evidence," adding, "No matter who conducts the investigation, it should proceed according to principle and reach a conclusion quickly."

Park Ji-won, the elected member of the Democratic Party representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo counties in Jeollanam-do, emphasized strict morality, saying that the president is different from an ordinary person. On the same day, on SBS radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Park said, "When Yoon Seok-yeol was Prosecutor General, he said 'I do not serve people,' but as president, he should not be loyal only to his wife," adding, "He should be a loving and respected father who leads a harmonious family out of love for his wife, but also a resolute president loyal to 50 million people."

Park also mentioned the 'Special Investigation Law for First Lady Kim Kun-hee.' He said, "First Lady Kim Kun-hee must be summoned by the prosecution and made to stand at the photo line. She must definitely stand at the photo line," adding, "If investigated, the prosecution will decide, and if indicted, the judiciary will decide. But since the investigation has been insufficient, we are proposing a special investigation. The reason to go to a special investigation is because there has been no investigation so far."

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