"Acts of Insurrection Destroy Democracy"
"I Apologize to Those Who Worked to Overcome the Insurrection"
Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, arrives at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 29th, expresses his position, and greets. 2025.12.29 Photo by Kang Jinhyung
Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, has issued a public apology regarding her past judgment related to the controversy over defending insurrection. She acknowledged that she failed to see the essence of the situation because she was confined by political positions.
On the morning of December 30, on her way to the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Dadong, Jung-gu, Seoul, Lee bowed her head and said, "I apologize to everyone who devoted themselves to overcoming the insurrection during the bitter cold a year ago."
Regarding the insurrection, she stated, "It was a clear illegal act that undermined constitutional order and destroyed democracy," and added, "I lost sight of the essence of the matter because I was blinded by partisanship."
Lee also said, "Now, as I stand before the grave responsibility of becoming the inaugural Minister of Planning and Budget, I have decided that I cannot move forward while covering up past mistakes," and added, "If I do not first apologize to the people, public office can never be justified."
She continued, "I apologize to everyone who endured each day of the cold winter to defend democracy, and to all those who have been hurt. I also sincerely bow my head in apology to the public officials who must accept me as minister and head of the ministry."
Lee went on to say, "I will devote all my energy to resolving the social conflict and division triggered by martial law, and to breaking with the wrongs of the past as we move toward a new era of integration. I will do my utmost for the future of the Republic of Korea and the success of a government based on popular sovereignty."
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