Attorney Seo Jungwook, in Communication with the Yoon Couple
"Says Family Told Him Her Health Was Poor"
"Using a Wheelchair Doesn't Mean the Special Prosecutor Won't Investigate"
Amid criticism from some quarters that Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Seokyeol, was discharged in a wheelchair as a way to avoid the special prosecutor's investigation, conservative political commentator and attorney Seo Jungwook stated, "The public is being too harsh." Seo, who is known to be close to the former presidential couple, said in an interview on MBC Radio's "Kwon Soonpyo's News High Kick" on June 30, "After checking with Kim's family, I was told that she was discharged in a wheelchair because she was in very poor health, suffering from severe hypotension, dizziness, vertigo, and shortness of breath."
Ahead of the launch of the special investigation team, First Lady Kim Gunhee, who had been hospitalized due to pre-existing conditions such as depression, was discharged on the 27th from Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, while seated in a wheelchair pushed by former President Yoon Seokyeol. Photo by Yonhap News
When the host asked, "Isn't the suspicion arising because Kim seemed fine during President Yoon's term, but is now suddenly suffering from hypotension and depression?" Seo responded, "Kim has always lost a lot of weight and suffered from severe hypotension. But consider: there was the imposition of martial law, impeachment, detention and release, and now the special prosecutor. Imagine how much stress she must have been under. Depression can worsen depending on stress levels."
Regarding Kim's hospitalization at Seoul Asan Medical Center, Seo said, "(I asked an acquaintance and) was told there was no special treatment. She was hospitalized strictly according to her doctor's opinion and in line with standard procedures. Previously, Lee Jaemyung, then leader of the Democratic Party, was also taken to Seoul National University Hospital by helicopter. It's impossible for her to be treated exactly like an ordinary citizen, so we should view this with some tolerance." He added, "At the time of admission, her shortness of breath was reportedly quite dangerous. She wasn't hospitalized just for depression, and severe depression itself can be very dangerous."
Seo emphasized, "Just because she used a wheelchair doesn't mean the special prosecutor won't summon her or conduct an investigation. We shouldn't be so harsh. There are people who question whether it's fair to criticize her so much for briefly using a wheelchair due to hypotension, shortness of breath, dizziness, and vertigo."
Kim, who was admitted to Seoul Asan Medical Center on the 16th, was discharged on the 27th after 11 days. At the time of her discharge, former President Yoon was seen personally pushing her wheelchair. Kim's side said, "She will continue treatment at home for the time being," and added, "She will faithfully respond to any legitimate summons from the special prosecutor in accordance with the law." The Kim Gunhee special prosecutor team announced to the media on the 30th that construction of their office at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West had been completed and that a nameplate unveiling ceremony would be held on July 2.
The Democratic Party issued strong criticism regarding Kim's discharge in a wheelchair. On June 30, lawmaker Park Jiwoon said in an interview on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," "(Former President Yoon) said he would use an underground passage to avoid being photographed when appearing before the special prosecutor, but why does Kim Gunhee appear in public, being photographed while pushed in a wheelchair? Showing 'my wife is this sick' and 'I am this robust' seems like a show, but it also appears to be a ploy to elicit public sympathy."
On the same day, lawmaker Min Hyungbae said in an interview on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show," "Kim is trying to show 'I am sick right now' and 'It's not easy for me to attend an investigation.' But this won't work in the current special prosecutor situation." When the host asked if this was an attempt to evoke empathy or sympathy, Min replied, "On the contrary, I think the public will find it even more distasteful."
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