Yoon: "Targeting me by demonizing my wife... Today, the appointment of my second chief secretary"

Suspicion of Mrs. Kim's Involvement Denied as "Not State Manipulation"
Likely to Engage in External Activities via the Second Secretariat
Special Prosecutor Refutes as 'Political Agitation'

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 7th regarding the issue of his wife Kim Geon-hee, "She should have been more cautious in handling everything, and causing concern to the public like this is absolutely wrong."

At a press conference held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, President Yoon calmly responded to allegations of Kim's involvement in state affairs. He said, "If helping the president, the president's wife, to successfully carry out the election and manage state affairs smoothly without receiving criticism from others is called state manipulation, then I think the definition in the Korean dictionary needs to be revised," adding, "Since my time as Prosecutor General, I have been targeted, but exaggeration and fabrications have been the norm, and my wife has been demonized."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a "National Address and Press Conference" at the briefing room of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th. 2024.11.7 · Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon also announced that he would create a second secretariat to address issues related to Kim's external activities. He said, "Today, I appointed the head of the second secretariat," adding, "The second secretariat head will soon select staff to work together, and the office for the second secretariat is almost finished with construction." He continued, "In fact, the presidential secretariat handled the second secretariat's duties before. I think this will reduce risks going forward."

However, President Yoon expressed discomfort regarding the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act,' labeling it as 'political agitation.' He pointed out, "Basically, no legislature appoints a special prosecutor and forms a vast investigation team without deciding whether to conduct a special prosecution. That clearly violates the separation of powers system in liberal democratic countries," adding, "The very idea of appointing a special prosecutor opposed by the president and the ruling party itself is unconstitutional." He further explained, "The duties of a special prosecutor are judicial in nature, so this is political agitation," and "In the past, hundreds were investigated without basis, some were indicted. The principle of non bis in idem generally applies to investigations and prosecutorial work. Conducting a special prosecution like this violates the human rights of others."

President Yoon said, "I have repeatedly said that the judicial sword, which should only be used when absolutely necessary, has been brought into politics," adding, "If I were a lawyer, and my wife had committed some wrongdoing, I would defend her. But as Prosecutor General or President, I cannot do that. I want to reiterate that this is absolutely not a matter of love or defense for my wife."