Lee Jae-myung's wife Kim Hye-kyung apologizes for "protocol controversy," saying "It was my fault, I am sorry"

Statement: "An Unacceptable Incident Occurred"

Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who has been identified as the owner of the Twitter account 'Hyekyunggung Kim,' is entering the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in Gyeonggi Province on the 4th to undergo a prosecution investigation.
Suwon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, stated on the 2nd regarding the 'protocol controversy,' "Everything is my fault, and I apologize for causing concern to the public."

In a statement released that day, Kim addressed the claim by a former Gyeonggi Province secretary, Mr. A, who alleged that while Lee was serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province, he followed instructions from a Gyeonggi Provincial Office official named Bae to handle Kim’s personal errands. She said, "There was something that should not have happened," adding, "I should have clearly distinguished between official and personal matters, but I received help because of my acquaintance with Mr. Bae." She also said, "It was not constant assistance," and added, "Once again, I apologize for causing concern to the public."

Mr. Bae, who is suspected of instructing Mr. A to handle Kim’s errands, previously stated, "I mistakenly thought that knowing the candidate for a long time was a privilege, and wanting to be in good favor with the candidate and his wife, I made unreasonable demands to Mr. A," and apologized, saying, "I apologize to Mr. A, the public, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Office officials for causing concern."

Regarding the allegation that Mr. A was asked to proxy-prescribe medicine for Kim, he said, "Due to stress from late marriage and pregnancy, I secretly took hormone medication," and admitted, "I acknowledge that I tried to obtain medicine prescribed to someone else for my own use." He also said, "There may be other mistakes I do not remember," emphasizing, "All responsibility lies with me, and I will sincerely cooperate with the ongoing investigation."

Earlier, SBS reported on the 28th of last month, citing Mr. A’s claims, that Mr. Bae, who was in the General Affairs Division of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office, instructed Mr. A to proxy-prescribe and receive medicine for Kim.