"How about meeting or calling 'V' just once?"
"I am lacking and endlessly insufficient... Please understand just once"
Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, sent five text messages to Han Dong-hoon, then the emergency committee chairman, in January, which have now been disclosed.
According to a report by TV Chosun on the 8th, in the five messages sent to candidate Han between January 15 and 25, Mrs. Kim said, "You have been working so hard lately. It seems you were uncomfortable because of the president and my special prosecutor issue, so I will apologize on your behalf," adding, "It is all because I am lacking and endlessly insufficient, so please understand just this once."
She also said, "I am very anxious that a small misunderstanding might lead to an issue that could cause even a little inconvenience in your important work. I apologize a hundred times," and "How about having a call or meeting with V (an abbreviation for VIP, referring to President Yoon) just once? I feel like you are secretly waiting for a call, so I kindly ask for your understanding."
Mrs. Kim further stated, "If an apology from me can resolve this, I would like to apologize a thousand times over," but added, "However, I am hesitant to make a decision easily because there is a possibility that the issue could escalate into debates over sincerity and responsibility afterward." She then said, "Nevertheless, if the emergency committee decides that an apology is appropriate, I will follow that decision."
Below is the original message text released by TV Chosun.
▲ January 15, 2024
You have been working so hard lately. It seems you were uncomfortable because of the president and my special prosecutor issue, so I will apologize on your behalf. It has been politically exploited for such a long time, and I understand that it made you feel unpleasant, so I kindly ask for your generous understanding ㅠㅠㅠ It is all because I am lacking and endlessly insufficient, so please understand just this once. I am very anxious that a small misunderstanding might lead to an issue that could cause even a little inconvenience in your important work. I apologize a hundred times. How about having a call or meeting with V just once? I feel like you are secretly waiting for a call, so I kindly ask for your understanding.
▲ January 15, 2024
I am sorry. It is all my fault. I am someone who neither fits nor deserves this position, so this kind of trouble happens. I apologize.
▲ January 19, 2024
I sincerely apologize as things keep escalating due to my negligence. If an apology from me can resolve this, I would like to apologize a thousand times over. However, I am hesitant to make a decision easily because there is a possibility that the issue could escalate into debates over sincerity and responsibility afterward. Nevertheless, if the emergency committee decides that an apology is appropriate, I will follow that decision. I fully acknowledge that I am responsible for all of this and feel deeply remorseful. During the presidential election period, when I held a press conference to apologize for the false statement controversy, my approval rating actually dropped by 10%, and until now, many people perceive that I only completed a simple advanced course rather than a master's degree at Seoul National University. In politics, there seem to be things where an apology does not necessarily lead to forgiveness. Nevertheless, I will follow all the chairman's opinions. I am truly sorry.
▲ January 23, 2024
In recent days, I heard rumors that I used a comment team to slander the chairman and those around him. I was very shocked and devastated. We have been comrades through life-and-death journeys, and it is shameful even to suggest that a slight difference in opinion could lead to attacking each other. I can say with all my heart that such a thing has never happened and will never happen in the future. Although I was deeply hurt by accountant Kim Kyung-ryul's extreme wording, I decided to understand it as the chairman's diverse opinions. As I said before, this is a serious mistake on my part. I only hope that it does not harm the efforts of those who have endured the path of suffering so far because of me. If the chairman still judges that an 'apology' is necessary, I will make a firm decision. I sincerely repent and apologize once again for various matters.
▲ January 25, 2024
I think the president was upset and raised his voice about past matters, so you must have felt hurt. You took on the emergency committee with a big heart, so I fully understand how angry you must have been to hear disappointing words. It all stems from my fault, so I have nothing to say. I hope the two of you can have a meal together soon and clear up any misunderstandings. I am truly sorry.
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