"Arrogant Apologies Are Better Left Unsaid... Final Advice" Kwon Kyung-ae Critiques Yoon Seok-yeol

"An Apology Without Knowing What It Is For"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, apologized on the 17th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "I am sorry for causing concern to the people" regarding various controversies surrounding his spouse, Kim Geon-hee. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kwon Kyung-ae, a lawyer from the "Lawyers for Democracy" group and co-author of "The Black Book of Cho Kuk (A Country Never Experienced Before)," criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, saying, "It is better not to offer an arrogant apology." She criticized Yoon's recent apology regarding the controversy over his wife Kim Gun-hee's false career claims as lacking sincerity.

On the 19th, Kwon wrote on her Facebook, "Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk also humbly apologized at first, regardless of the reason," and added, "An apology without clarifying the facts and without knowing what it is for is merely a calculated act of begging for votes from those in power."

She continued, "An arrogant apology done reluctantly is worse than no apology at all," and added, "People whose voting legitimacy is based on hatred toward the opposing party and candidate, and who regard that hatred as justice, remain unaffected no matter what happens."

She warned, "At least in this election, if those who reluctantly supported the People Power Party and Yoon because they could not vote for the Democratic Party start distancing themselves from Yoon as well, regime change will be difficult."

She emphasized, "It has been a few days since I decided not to add words to this futile stage any longer," calling it "the last advice to Yoon's side."

Attorney Kwon Kyung-ae pointed out on Facebook on the 19th, saying to candidate Yoon, "An arrogant apology is worse than no apology at all." / Photo by Facebook capture

Kwon's remarks appear to criticize Yoon's attitude of bowing his head over the recent controversy regarding Kim's false career claims.

Earlier, on the 17th, after finishing a "National Sponsorship Fund" campaign event at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Yoon apologized to reporters, saying, "I apologize to the people for causing concern due to the controversy surrounding my wife." This was three days after the allegations against Kim surfaced on the 14th.

He bowed his head and said, "Regardless of the reason, I clearly state that the inaccurate career description and the resulting controversy are against the fairness and common sense I have emphasized." However, he did not specifically address the allegations against Kim.

On the 17th, Candidate Yoon bows his head in apology regarding various controversies surrounding his spouse / Photo by Yonhap News

However, criticism arose from the ruling party regarding Yoon's "apology attitude."

Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, said in a briefing on the 18th, "Yoon read an apology statement for about one minute yesterday and left without looking back," criticizing it as "a half-hearted apology season 2."

He added, "The basics of an apology are to clearly explain the facts and admit wrongdoing," demanding, "Respond to public sentiment and apologize properly again."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, wrote on his Facebook the same day, "Watching Yoon reluctantly and forcibly apologize gives me a sense of d?j? vu," likening Yoon's attitude to that of a "gangster."

Song explained, "In the 1980s, a big and rough-looking man would get on buses or subways and suddenly hand out paper notes," describing the content as asking for help, saying he had been to prison for gang-related activities but was now reflecting and on the path to rehabilitation.

He added, "Sometimes they would sell goods, but other times they just asked for money," and criticized, "After giving a speech, they would say 'I will live righteously' as a parting greeting. You can't shake off the uneasy feeling it leaves."