Song Young-gil's Apology for the 'Cho Kuk Incident'... Kim Han-jung Reacts, "Even the Party Is Being Mutilated"

Kim Han-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering reporters' questions at the Seoul High Court last April.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized on the 2nd regarding the 'Cho Kuk incident,' but some party members continue to openly oppose him.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-jung wrote on his Facebook that day, "There is a limit even when picking on someone; this is too much," adding, "Let's let Professor Cho Kuk go now. He is not some great criminal, and the Cho Kuk I have known for over 30 years is nowhere near being shameless."

He continued, "Cho himself says, 'Step on me and move forward,' but should the party also step on him repeatedly, almost like posthumous humiliation? Will that increase approval ratings?" he questioned.

Kim said, "If someone blames Cho Kuk for ruining the presidential election, they should not even run as the Democratic Party candidate," adding, "Everything else was done well, but did public sentiment worsen because of Cho Kuk? It's time to return to normal."

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Kim Yong-min also appeared on TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and said, "Former Minister Cho has already apologized sufficiently for his personal matters. This case is one where Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl made his political ambitions by turning his superior into a political scapegoat, and it is a representative case of prosecutorial abuse of power," opposing an apology at the party level.

Earlier, Leader Song announced the 'National Communication and Public Opinion Listening Project National Report' at the National Assembly that day, stating, "Apart from the legal issues concerning former Minister Cho Kuk, as he himself has repeatedly publicly reflected on the issues related to his children's college admissions, we ourselves must also reflect and repent," and "I apologize once again for failing to understand the wounded hearts of the public and youth."