[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for the 'Cho Kuk incident,' while former leader Lee Nak-yeon expressed, "I deeply agree with the statement that the Democratic Party must change." At the same time, he questioned former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, asking, "Is he being fair to himself in light of the issues raised against him?"
On the afternoon of the 2nd, after the apology announcement, former leader Lee posted on his Facebook, saying, "I understand the concerns and sincerity of the party leadership. However, now we must talk more about the future."
He then targeted former Prosecutor General Yoon, asking, "Has the prosecution been fair to themselves? Yoon Seok-youl, who is mentioned as a leading opposition presidential candidate but has yet to reveal himself to the public, is he being fair to himself in light of the issues raised against him?" While he sympathized with the apology, this is interpreted as a critical stance toward the prosecution's investigation of former Minister Cho.
He added, "I understand the concerns and sincerity of the party leadership. I, too, have apologized for the same issue with the same intent," emphasizing, "Just as former Minister Cho said, 'Step on me and move forward,' the Democratic Party will advance again into the hearts of the people."
Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is entering and greeting at the 'Democratic Party National Communication and Public Opinion Listening Results Report Meeting' held on the 2nd in the party leader's conference room at the National Assembly. / Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, at the public opinion listening results briefing, Leader Song apologized for the 'Cho Kuk incident,' saying, "I apologize once again for not being able to understand the wounded hearts of the people and the youth. Regardless of former Minister Cho's legal issues, the problems related to his children's college admissions are issues we ourselves must reflect on and reconsider."
He continued, "Even if it is not specifically illegal to attend good universities and use good positions and connections to help each other get internships and build resumes like a mutual aid system, it was a matter that caused frustration and disappointment to countless young people who cannot even access such a system."
However, he expressed a critical stance toward the prosecution's investigation of former Minister Cho, stating, "The standards of the prosecution's investigation should be applied equally to the family corruption of former Prosecutor General Yoon and the prosecution family corruption."
Regarding former Minister Cho's memoir, Cho Kuk's Time, he said, "I understand it as a rebuttal to the media's one-sided acceptance and bombardment of the prosecution's claims."
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