Emperor's Protocol, Recorded Transcript... Another Controversy Over Presidential Candidate Spouses Begins

Kim Hye-kyung's 'Proxy Prescription and Food Delivery' Controversy... Kim Gun-hee Coordinates Timing of Appearance Amid 'Recording' Dispute

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The opposition's offensive is intensifying over allegations that Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and former governor of Gyeonggi Province, gave private instructions to Gyeonggi provincial government officials. With Kim Geon-hee, wife of Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, also set to make an appearance, the controversy surrounding the spouses of both candidates is expected to escalate.

According to political circles on the 2nd, the People Power Party began its offensive the previous day, urging the Lee couple to make a statement. Choi Ji-hyun, chief deputy spokesperson of the campaign headquarters, said in a written comment, "The Lee couple and the Democratic Party continue to remain silent about treating public officials like servants for tasks such as proxy prescription, food delivery, and their son's discharge procedures," adding, "How long will they remain silent about the candidate's spouse's 'imperial protocol'?"

She continued, "It has now been revealed that when Ms. Kim visited a general hospital, a Gyeonggi provincial official filled out the COVID-19 screening questionnaire on her behalf and obtained a false entry pass," and said, "Thinking about the Gyeonggi officials who must have been busy scouting parking spots, filling out proxy COVID-19 questionnaires, and handling discharge procedures just for Ms. Kim and her son to visit the hospital once makes me furious."

Won Il-hee, spokesperson for the campaign headquarters, also criticized, saying, "Before announcing the 'Three Major Fairness Policies for Youth,' the candidate should first apologize for the 'Three Major Unfairnesses for Youth,'" and added, "I cannot help but ask why the candidate does not explain the 'Three Major Unfairnesses' he committed himself."

Spokesperson Won stated, "The former official Bae Mo, who was treated like a personal secretary and butler by candidate Lee's wife Kim, was promoted from grade 7 to grade 5, and another public official was used as a 'butler's assistant' to take care of the candidate's son's hospital discharge. Yoo Dong-gyu, a non-expert in architecture with a music background, was appointed head of the Seongnam Urban Development Corporation and played the role of the mastermind behind the Daejang-dong corruption," urging, "Candidate Lee should first explain the allegations of preferential hiring he committed and the imperial protocol abuse involving his wife and public officials."

Meanwhile, Kim Geon-hee, wife of candidate Yoon, is also facing ongoing controversy ahead of her appearance. Having already come under attack from the ruling party following the release of recorded conversations, the timing of her appearance is currently being discussed within the People Power Party's campaign headquarters.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Ms. Kim, candidate Yoon has personally apologized and is attempting to calm the situation. On the 27th, Yoon said about the '7-hour phone call' controversy, "I think it was inappropriate to engage unnecessarily and have such a long call," adding, "As the spouse of a public figure, I feel sorry for those who were hurt."

Meanwhile, on the 26th, the People Power Party campaign headquarters distributed a profile photo of Ms. Kim. She also personally registered her profile information on a portal site, introducing herself as the "CEO of Kobana Co., Ltd." The profile was updated to include four educational qualifications and three awards.