Kim Gunhee Detained... Jang Donghyuk Calls It "Political Retaliation," Ahn Cheolsoo Says "We Must Cut Ties with Yoon"

Different Reactions Within the People Power Party
Jang Donghyuk Condemns Detention as "Political Retaliation"
Ahn Cheolsoo Urges Reform and Severing Ties with Yoon Sukyeol

Jang Donghyuk and Ahn Cheolsoo, lawmakers running for the leadership of the People Power Party, voiced differing opinions on August 13 regarding the detention of Kim Gunhee.

Jang, a member of the anti-impeachment faction, issued a statement that day, criticizing, "Not only are they violating human rights by mistreating a former president in a detention center, but now they are openly engaging in political retaliation by detaining even Mrs. Kim."

Former President Yoon Sukyeol's wife, Kim Gunhee, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 12th to undergo a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review). Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, on the 12th, Judge Jeong Jaeuk, the Seoul Central District Court's judge in charge of warrants, issued an arrest warrant for Mrs. Kim on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and aggravated bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The court cited concerns about the destruction of evidence as the reason for issuing the warrant. This is the first time in Korean constitutional history that a former president and spouse have been detained simultaneously.

Regarding this, Jang stated, "This is the first time in the history of the Republic of Korea that a former president and spouse have been detained at the same time. It is something that should never happen and must not happen." He also pointed out, "In the case of Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, even though he was sentenced to prison in the appellate court, he was not taken into custody on the grounds that his spouse was already incarcerated," criticizing, "This is the double-faced nature of President Lee Jaemyung, who claimed he would not engage in political retaliation."

He went on to say, "While using a special prosecutor, who is running wild, to detain a former president and spouse simultaneously, they brazenly pardoned the Cho Kuk couple, whose case still angers the public. They are unable to control the power they have so easily obtained and are throwing a 'mad power party.'"

In contrast, Ahn, a member of the pro-impeachment faction, emphasized the need to sever ties with the former president and his spouse and called for reform. He wrote on social media that day, "An unprecedented situation is unfolding in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea. It is devastating," but added, "Shameless martial law forces and the 'Yoon Again' faction are still running rampant. Now is truly the time to come to our senses."

He continued, "We must completely sever ties with the Yoon Sukyeol couple. Only reform is the way forward."