Yoon Suk-yeol: "Sorry for Causing Concern with 'Kim Geon-hee Call Report'... Should Have Managed It Better"

Kim distances himself from election interference controversy
and responds "I have not heard anything" to questions about involvement in personnel appointments

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of the 5th term of the Buddhist Leaders Forum held at Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, expressed his apology regarding the report on his spouse Kim Gun-hee's '7-hour phone call,' saying, "I am sorry for causing concern to many people."

On the afternoon of the 17th, after attending the launch ceremony of the 5th Buddhist Leaders Forum held at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Yoon met with reporters and stated, "There were inappropriate aspects in the process of private conversations (of my spouse) being broadcasted, but there are also parts that I do not fully understand."

Yoon explained, "I don't know why (Kim) had such a long private conversation," adding, "As her husband, I should have taken better care, but since I left early in the morning for the campaign and returned late at night, it seems I lacked time to talk with my wife."

Regarding the controversy over Kim's involvement in the election, Yoon drew a clear line. He said, "If my wife was heavily involved in the campaign, would she have time for such long phone calls?" He continued, "During the election process, I left early in the morning and came back late at night, so please consider whether my wife, who had little time to talk with me and was busy helping with my campaign, could have had such phone calls."

When asked if Kim had ever been involved in camp personnel appointments or operations, Yoon replied, "Since this is my first time in politics, I don't know many people in the political circle, so appointments are made based on recommendations from others. Would my wife know anyone in Yeouido politics to make those decisions?" He added, "I have never even heard such talk."

Regarding Kim's comment on former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung's 'Me Too' issue, where she said, "I and our uncle (Yoon Seok-yeol) are on Ahn Hee-jung's side," Yoon said, "I have nothing further to say."