'Joguk Heukseo' Contributor Kwon Kyung-ae: "Yoo Si-min Must Take Responsibility by Resigning as Chairman"

"Accountant Kim Kyung-yul's Apology That Would Not Have Been Made Without Persistent Questioning"

The authors of 'The Black Book of Cho Kuk' attending a press conference held in Seoul on September 25 last year. (From left) Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University; Kwon Kyung-ae, lawyer; Seo Min, professor at Dankook University; Kim Kyung-yul, representative of Economic Democracy 21. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae, a contributor to 'Jokuk Heukseo' (A Country Never Experienced Before), strongly criticized Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation under the People’s Life Society, on the 22nd, saying, "He should take responsibility to the extent of stepping down for disgracing Roh Moo-hyun."

On the same day, Chairman Yoo expressed his apology regarding the past allegations he raised about the prosecution's surveillance of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts, stating, "I have judged that it was not true."

In a post on her Facebook that day, Lawyer Kwon pointed out, "This apology specifically addresses only the statement about the illegal inquiry into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation’s financial transactions, which is a clear falsehood with a high risk of criminal punishment among Yoo Si-min’s acts after the Cho Kuk incident, including witness coercion, spreading false information, and conspiracy theories."

She added, "This apology would not have come out without the persistent questioning by accountant Kim Kyung-yul." Previously, accountant Kim, who co-published Jokuk Heukseo with Lawyer Kwon and others, urged Chairman Yoo in December last year to "now reveal the truth about the prosecution’s surveillance of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation’s accounts."

At that time, accountant Kim stated on Facebook, "(Chairman Yoo) should now reveal the truth," and added, "It’s time for the relevant financial institution to contact us."

Yoo Si-min, Chairman of the People’s Livelihood Foundation of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation / Photo by YouTube Broadcast Capture

He continued, "I didn’t say anything earlier for fear that the period might not have elapsed, but now it should be easy to clarify whether the prosecution viewed the foundation’s accounts or not," and criticized, "If the prosecution did not actually view the accounts, Yoo Si-min should disappear from the public space."

Regarding this, Lawyer Kwon said, "If the apology is sincere, (Chairman Yoo) should take responsibility to the extent of stepping down from his position as chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation for disgracing Roh Moo-hyun," emphasizing, "This is the first specific apology among the prominent figures who spread falsehoods and conspiracy theories that were rampant after the Cho Kuk incident."

Meanwhile, on the 22nd, Chairman Yoo posted a statement on the official website of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, saying, "I have judged that the allegations I raised about the prosecution’s surveillance of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation’s accounts were not true," and "I sincerely apologize to all those involved in the prosecution for causing suspicion."

He added, "I do not think that just apologizing is enough, and I will humbly accept any form of responsibility or inquiry in the future."

He further emphasized, "We all must form opinions based on facts under any circumstances," and "Raising suspicions without clear factual support distorts the process of public opinion formation. Regarding this issue, I will reflect on all my words and actions."