Lee Sun-ja "Apologizes on Behalf of Husband"..."Lip-sync Apology Raises Doubts About Sincerity" Criticism

Lee Soon-ja, wife of former President Chun Doo-hwan, visited the funeral hall of former President Roh Tae-woo at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on October 28 to pay her respects and is now leaving after the condolence visit.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Political circles continue to criticize the proxy apology remarks made by Lee Soon-ja, wife of Jeon Du-hwan, as an "insincere apology."

Earlier, on the 27th, Lee said at Jeon's funeral, "I would like to deeply apologize on behalf of my husband to those who suffered and were hurt during his tenure."

Regarding this, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, pointed out, "It seems to be the attitude of Jeon Du-hwan, who claimed he did nothing wrong."

On the 27th, after holding a public meeting with farmers in Anpung Village, Gundo-myeon, Gangjin, Jeollanam-do, Lee met with reporters and said, "If he had even a tiny bit of willingness to apologize, he should have at least expressed regret for Lee Kwang-young, who recently made an extreme choice, if not visited him." Lee Kwang-young was a victim who was shot in the waist by martial law troops during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.

Lee said, "Jeon lived a life of luxury and enjoyed longevity, but because of that, a person who became paralyzed and suffered lifelong pain made an extreme choice," adding, "If it weren't for Jeon, they would have had no reason to die or be injured."

He continued, "I think his remarks at the last moment are mocking the citizens of Gwangju and the people. It is truly regrettable."

Kim Dong-yeon, former Deputy Prime Minister and a presidential candidate, harshly criticized Lee Soon-ja's remarks as a "completely irrelevant and contradictory lip-sync apology," saying, "We cannot help but doubt the sincerity."

Song Moon-hee, spokesperson for Kim's campaign, said in a written statement that day, "Since Lee has even praised her husband as the 'Father of Democracy in the Republic of Korea,' we cannot help but doubt the sincerity of the apology."

Song added, "Limiting the apology to 'during his tenure' means that she does not intend to apologize for the anti-democratic acts committed when he was a military officer before becoming president and for the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement," and said, "The phrase 'I want to apologize' gives a strong impression that she reluctantly used the word apology."

Meanwhile, as controversy arose over Lee's apology remarks, Jeon’s side explained on the same day that "the proxy apology does not include the victims and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratization Movement."

Min Jeong-gi, former secretary of the Blue House from Jeon's side, told reporters at Seoul Memorial Park in Seocho-gu, Seoul, "According to the articles, May 18 organizations say they cannot accept the apology, but Lee did not mention anything related to May 18."

Min also said, "Lee clearly said 'during his tenure.' Saying there is no sincerity is a misunderstanding."

Lee emphasized that the apology was only for what happened "during his tenure" as president, and that the May 18 incident occurred before Jeon took office on September 1, 1980.