"Rudeness Due to Personal Familiarity"... Kim Yewon Apologizes for Mentioning Park Jiwon's Disability

"Direct Apology to Representative Park"

Lawyer Kim Yewon, who sparked controversy by mentioning Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won's disability, has issued an apology, stating, "I was wrong."

At the public hearing on prosecution reform bills held during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 9th, lawyer Kim Yewon is speaking. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 10th, Kim posted on her Facebook, "It was entirely my fault to mention Representative Park Ji-won's disability," and added, "I personally apologized to Representative Park, who must have been flustered to hear such a response after asking a question. Fortunately, he said it was okay and accepted my apology."

Kim had attended the public hearing on the four prosecution reform bills held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, serving as a witness for the People Power Party. During a Q&A session with Representative Park, she said, "Representative, you are blind in one eye, aren't you? I am also blind in one eye," and continued, "I have lived as a person with a disability, but until I became a lawyer, I hardly ever met other people with disabilities." Her remarks sparked controversy.

Regarding this, Kim said, "I have always admired Representative Park for actively engaging in legislative activities while wearing an artificial eye," and added, "When I saw him in person yesterday for the first time in a while, I felt happy to see him and, because of my one-sided sense of closeness, I acted rudely. I deeply regret it and apologize."

Kim explained, "As I understood it, the intent behind Representative Park's question was, 'If you advocate for the socially disadvantaged, why are you against prosecution reform?'" She continued, "I should have simply answered, 'As things stand, the lack of detailed provisions in the system means that, if implemented as is, the socially disadvantaged will suffer the most.' I don't know why I foolishly said what I did instead."

She added, "Apart from my apology to Representative Park, I sincerely apologize to all those who were hurt and angered by my careless words and actions. No matter what my true intentions were or what I really wanted to say, nothing can diminish the wrong I committed yesterday. I am truly sorry, and once again, I apologize."