'Julie Allegations' An Hae-uk Swears During TV Debate... "Yoon Seok-yeol XXX"

Jeonju-eul National Assembly By-election Candidate An Haeuk Faces Swearing Controversy

Independent candidate Ahn Hae-uk, who ran in the April 5 by-election for the National Assembly seat in Jeonju-si Eul, Jeollabuk-do, sparked controversy by using the profanity 'XXX' directed at President Yoon Seok-yeol during a live TV debate. Ahn is the figure who raised the so-called 'Julie allegations,' claiming that President Yoon's spouse, Kim Geon-hee, once worked at a nightlife establishment.

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol's spouse Kim Geon-hee was alleged to have worked at a nightlife bar in the past, known as the so-called 'Julie suspicion.' On the 22nd, Ahn Hae-uk (74, center), former chairman of the Korea Elementary School Taekwondo Association, held a press conference at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council and announced his candidacy for the by-election for the National Assembly member of Jeonju-eul. Immediately after the conference, candidate Ahn took a commemorative photo with Baek Eun-jong (left), CEO of Seoul Voice, and Jeong Dae-taek, who raised various suspicions about President Yoon's mother-in-law and Kim Geon-hee. Photo by Yonhap News

During the candidate debate broadcast on Jeonju MBC on the 29th, Ahn said, "(I am) one of the three great eagles along with Baek Eun-jong, the representative of Seoul Voice, and John the Baptist Jeong Dae-taek," adding, "Those two do not say such things, but I always shout this first in front of Yongsan University (Yongsan Presidential Office) and in front of the presidential residence. Yoon Seok-yeol, you XXX." The moderator then warned Ahn to "refrain from using vulgar language."

Ahn has continued his attacks on President Yoon and Mrs. Kim even before running in the by-election. In December 2021, through the YouTube channel 'Open Sympathy TV,' Ahn claimed that in May 1997, he visited the Ramada Renaissance Hotel nightclub and was entertained by Mrs. Kim, who used the stage name 'Julie' at the banquet hall.

Later, in January of last year, Ahn raised the 'Julie allegations' again on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' and was indicted without detention on charges of false information disclosure under the Public Official Election Act and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

Ahn, whose hometown is in Gyeongsang Province, also stated that his reason for running in the Jeonju Eul by-election was to overthrow the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. At a press conference held at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council on the 22nd, he said, "It is not because of political ambition," adding, "It is to overthrow the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. I believe this administration is the Kim Geon-hee administration."