Kim Jin-tae, "Loss of State Funds Constitutes Crime or Embezzlement in the Course of Duty"
Kim Hye-kyung Remains Silent on Questions About Corporate Card Misuse
Kim Jin-tae, Chairman of the Special Committee for Public Verification of Lee Jae-myung's Corruption, People Power Party, Twitter Capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has directly apologized for the 'excessive protocol' controversy surrounding her, but the controversy shows little sign of subsiding.
Kim Jin-tae, Chairman of the Special Committee for Public Verification of Lee Jae-myung's Corruption of the People Power Party (Chairman of the Chuncheon Gap Party Committee), responded on the 10th via SNS, saying, "Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of candidate Lee Jae-myung, apologized, saying it was her fault. However, she remained silent about what exactly she was apologizing for."
Kim, the special committee chairman, also said, "An apology starts with stating what wrongdoing was committed," adding, "She said she did not know about the proxy prescription. This is because she knows well that admitting the facts would violate the law."
In particular, he pointed out, "Buying beef, sushi, and sandwiches with the Gyeonggi-do corporate card constitutes a crime of loss to the national treasury or embezzlement in the course of duty," and "Proxy prescription violates the Medical Service Act. Abuse of authority is a given. This is not something to just brush off as an embarrassing act."
Kim further emphasized, "That is probably why candidate Yoon Seok-youl said he would investigate the deep-rooted evils of the Moon Jae-in administration and that punishment should be administered according to the system. It is a natural statement."
He added, "It is a natural statement. Just because someone is a family member of a presidential candidate does not mean the crime committed disappears," and "Don't make lame excuses about political revenge. Beef and sushi are not politics," he sharply criticized.
Candidate Lee Jae-myung's spouse Kim Hye-kyung directly apologizes for the 'excessive protocol' controversy [Image=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, Kim Hye-kyung held a press conference at 5 p.m. on the 9th at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "I once again apologize to the people for the matters caused by my shortcomings."
She continued, "I will do my best to ensure that the truth is revealed through investigation and audit," and "Even after the election, I will sincerely explain the raised suspicions and take full responsibility until the end."
Regarding office worker Bae So-hyun, she said, "She is someone I have had a long-standing relationship with. Because of this long relationship, I sometimes received various help," adding, "As the spouse of a public official, I should have been cautious in all respects and clearly distinguished between public and private matters, but I was very lacking."
She then said, "I sincerely apologize especially to the whistleblower and the parties involved." However, she avoided answering questions about the misuse of the corporate card.
Kim is suspected of having received a proxy prescription for menopause treatment drugs from a Gyeonggi-do secretariat public official. Subsequently, suspicions were raised that she received ingredients such as beef purchased with the Gyeonggi-do corporate card and that a Gyeonggi-do public official handled her son's discharge procedures.
Gyeonggi-do has begun an audit regarding the allegations of Kim Hye-kyung's misuse of public funds. Meanwhile, controversy over fairness has also arisen as the Gyeonggi-do auditor is known to be a Minbyun (Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights) member appointed by candidate Lee Jae-myung during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi-do.
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