Kim Kyung-jin "The expression itself was excessive"
Yoon Seok-yeol "My historical awareness has not changed since I sentenced Chun Doo-hwan to life imprisonment as a university student"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and his remarks about former President Jeon Du-hwan, Kim Kyung-jin, the camp's special envoy for external cooperation, announced on the 20th that he would propose an apology. However, former Yoon chose to clarify rather than apologize for the remarks.
On the same day, Special Envoy Kim said on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ regarding former Yoon’s remarks, "First, I want to express my embarrassment for using somewhat inappropriate expressions," and added, "The aides will discuss (going down to Gwangju, etc., to apologize in person)."
Earlier, former Yoon visited the office of Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker from Busan Haeundae-gap, and mentioned former President Jeon, saying, "Except for the military coup and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, there are parts he did wrong, but many say he did politics well," and "People from Honam also say such things."
Inside and outside the party, the remarks were criticized as the worst of ‘absurd remarks.’
Special Envoy Kim explained, "One of former Yoon’s rhetorical styles is to use extreme contrasts to make his point clear, and sometimes he tends to use extreme contrasts," adding, "It seems he wanted to emphasize the appropriate selection and delegation of authority to practical ministers, but the expression itself was excessive."
Although former Special Envoy Kim mentioned that he would propose an apology to former Yoon, former Yoon limited himself to clarifying the remarks and did not apologize.
Former Yoon explained through social media (SNS) on the same day, "What I wanted to say yesterday was that if I become president, I will appoint experts and talents in each field appropriately so that they can demonstrate their capabilities," and added, "The president will not interfere in everything by himself but will operate the state systemically so that outstanding talents in each field can fully demonstrate their abilities and skills."
Regarding former President Jeon, he stated, "When I was a university student, I played the role of a judge in the 12.12 mock trial and sentenced Jeon Du-hwan, a key figure of the then new military regime, to life imprisonment," and "My historical awareness has not changed since then or now."
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