Kim Moon-soo Refuses to Apologize for Sewol Ferry Remarks: "April 3 Incident Was a Rebellion Denying the Founding of the Nation" (Comprehensive)

26th Employment Minister Confirmation Hearing
Continued Statement on Past Controversial Remarks
"Former President Park's Impeachment Will Be Reassessed"

Kim Moon-soo, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, refused to apologize for his past remark calling the Sewol ferry memorial a "death ritual" during the confirmation hearing on the 26th, saying, "It's been over 10 years; should we keep (the memorial) going?" Regarding the Jeju 4.3 Incident, he described it as a "riot that denies the very founding of the Republic of Korea."

Kim Moon-soo, nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, is answering questions at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee confirmation hearing that day, when Rep. Kang Deuk-gu of the Democratic Party asked Kim about his willingness to apologize for the Sewol ferry remark, he refused. Instead, he stated, "(The Sewol ferry memorial) should have already stopped." When Rep. Kang continued to demand an apology, Kim said, "You cannot forcibly demand an apology from anyone like that," and reiterated his stance that "one should not apologize just because it is a hearing, and the Sewol ferry memorial is excessive."

When Rep. Jung Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party asked if he was willing to apologize for his past remark calling the Jeju 4.3 Incident a leftist riot, Kim said, "I apologize to the bereaved families of the victims." However, he explained, "The 4.3 riot was a refusal to participate in the May 10 Constituent National Assembly election for the founding of the Republic of Korea," and described it as "a riot that denies the very founding of the Republic of Korea."

He added, "The 4.3 riot, which opposed the founding, was clearly a riot led by the South Korean Workers' Party," and "Many innocent civilians were sacrificed in this process, and the state apologized to the innocent civilian victims, which should be clearly distinguished."

Regarding his 2009 remark during his tenure as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, calling the Ssangyong Motor labor union a suicide squad, he stated, "It is not something to regret." He explained, "Ssangyong Motor has changed a lot now, but at that time, the labor movement was too radical, causing Shanghai Automotive to withdraw," and "There were really many problems back then."

On the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), he said, "If it is implemented, most companies will not come to Korea, and many of our companies will go overseas," adding, "There will be many disadvantages for workers."

Earlier in the morning's confirmation hearing, when asked by Rep. Park Hae-cheol of the Democratic Party if he was willing to resign, he responded, "No." Regarding the ongoing criticism over his past remarks, he said that his stance varied depending on the situation but added, "If necessary, I believe I should apologize and do everything required."

Regarding the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, he said, "The impeachment was wrong and will be historically reevaluated." He also stated, "If she (former President Park) is imprisoned for bribery, then I am also guilty of bribery," explaining, "She neither knew about the bribes nor was she someone who would receive them."

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks that day, Kim said, "Labor reform must continue." He also announced, "We will prepare a 'Labor Weak Protection Act' and focus on support that can be tangibly felt.".