Yun Ho-jung Visits National Cemetery, Apologizes to "Victims"... Opposition Says "Time, Place, and Situation All Inappropriate"

Victim: "Apology is too insulting"
"Arrogance pretending to reflect"
"Is this a show before the patriotic martyrs?"

Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the Emergency Response Committee, visited the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. After paying respects, he is writing in the guestbook. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 23rd, the People Power Party criticized Yoon Ho-jung, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for apologizing to the victims of sexual harassment by former mayors Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery, calling it "an arrogant force that shows no remorse but only pretends to reflect."

The day before, Chairman Yoon apologized to the victims during his visit to the Memorial Cemetery. He wrote in the guestbook, "To the patriots! To the people! To the victims! I sincerely apologize." Regarding this, a Democratic Party official explained, "He mentioned the victims of the incident that caused the by-election."

This is the first time the Democratic Party leadership has apologized for a sexual violence incident since the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, but there have been continuous criticisms that the location was inappropriate.

Victim A of the forced molestation case involving former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don expressed that this apology was insulting. In a statement released through the Busan Sexual Violence Counseling Center, A said, "I am not a patriot enshrined at the Memorial Cemetery, so why on earth are you apologizing to me there? Chairman Yoon's apology at the Memorial Cemetery is extremely insulting."

The People Power Party pointed out that the timing, location, and situation were all inappropriate, calling it a ridiculous way of apologizing. At the Emergency Response Committee meeting that day, Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, said, "The Memorial Cemetery is a sacred place honoring those who sacrificed for the country. What does it mean to apologize to victims who are still alive and breathing there?" He added, "Why should we apologize for sexual crimes to the patriots?" Seong criticized, "This is purely a show without sincere reflection," and urged, "I hope they live with a humble and fearful heart, serving the people with a reflective attitude. As the ruling party leader, they should feel ashamed and sorry before the patriots. Should they really put on a political show even in front of the patriots?"

Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement saying, "Above all, the victim, who is the party concerned, does not consider this a sincere apology and has requested to stop further harassment, so this amounts to a third victimization," and added, "Sincerity (盡心) means thoroughly exercising one's conscience (良心). Before the candlelight becomes a volcano and erupts, I hope they tend to the remaining year of people's livelihood with earnest sincerity (期致盡心)."