Byeon Chang-heum Visits Justice Party Sit-in to Apologize for 'Guui Station Remarks'... Bereaved Families 'Reject'

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Byeon Chang-heum, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited the Justice Party's hunger strike site in front of the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, where a hunger strike demanding the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act has been ongoing for 12 days. He apologized to Kim Mi-sook, the mother of the late Kim Yong-gyun and director of the Kim Yong-gyun Foundation, and Lee Yong-gwan (right), the father of the late PD Lee Han-bit, regarding his remarks about the 'Guui Station Kim' accident. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] On the 22nd, Byeon Chang-heum, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited the Justice Party's hunger strike site in front of the National Assembly main building and apologized for his 'Guui Station remarks.' However, the bereaved families did not accept the apology and sent Byeon back.

On that day, Byeon unexpectedly visited the Justice Party's hunger strike site, which is urging the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and bowed his head in apology. At the site, Kim Misook, mother of the late Kim Yong-gyun, and Lee Yong-gwan, father of the late PD Lee Han-bit, have been on hunger strike for 12 days.

It was previously reported that the bereaved families had refused to convey Byeon's intention to visit. After bowing and apologizing to the families, Byeon reportedly asked for forgiveness again, saying "I'm sorry" and "I apologize."

Byeon faced public criticism after it was revealed that during his tenure as president of SH in 2016, he made a remark about Kim, who died while repairing a screen door at Guui Station, saying, "If only he had paid a little more attention, nothing would have happened."

Kim Misook and Lee Yong-gwan reportedly said in response to Byeon's apology, "Apologize directly to the victims and their families and ask for forgiveness. We are not qualified to forgive or accept apologies on their behalf."

Chief spokesperson Jeong Hojin also released a statement expressing "deep regret over the unilateral visit without prior consultation." He pointed out, "Not only the past remarks but also the thoughtless actions toward those on the 12th day of hunger strike ahead of the confirmation hearing cannot be overlooked."