Yoon offers apology over controversies surrounding first lady

Nov 08, 2024, 10:58 am

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President Yoon Suk-yeol bows in apology to the pubic during an address ahead of a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul on Nov. 7, 2024./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Hong Sun-mi

President Yoon Suk-yeol offered an apology Thursday over controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon-hee.

“The role of the president is not to make excuses. All of this is due to my shortcomings and lack of virtue,” he said during a televised address and press conference at the presidential office.

Yoon stood up and bowed his head in apology during the address. It is the first time for the president to bow to the public in apology since taking office.

“Things I started for the sake of people’s livelihoods and future of the Republic of Korea have caused inconvenience to the people and caused concerns to the people with things around me,” he said. “I am aware of what I and the government lack. I will fix the parts that need to be fixed.”

However, he expressed frustration over the allegations that her wife interfered with state affairs, saying, “If they mention the actions of a first lady who helps the president and advises the smooth running of the country as ‘interference,’ then we should make a new definition of it in the dictionary.” He argued that Kim has been ‘demonized’ by those who made her a target of political attacks.

“I’m not saying my wife did a good job. She had to be more careful about everything. But she caused concerns to the public and it’s unconditionally wrong,” he said. “My wife feels unfair, but she feels much more sorry for causing worries and upsetting the people.”

Regarding the election meddling allegations involving Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed broker, the president said, “There is nothing inappropriate or to hide.”

Regarding the allegation of intervening in Kim Young-sun’s nomination, Yoon said, “I never told anyone to give her the ruling party’s nomination,” and dismissed the allegation that Myung was involved in the designation of Changwon’s second national industrial complex as “a plot that cannot be admitted.”

The president called the draft bill proposed by the main opposition Democratic Party to investigate allegations involving the first lady “unconstitutional” and “politically motivated,” suggesting the exercise of his right to veto.

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