SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized for a mounting scandal involving his wife Kim Keon Hee and other related allegations in a televised press conference on Thursday.
The apology came as he appeared to realize that it could no longer be delayed and that public concerns needed to be addressed, with his approval ratings continuing to plummet.
Yoon offered explanations about Kim's alleged involvement in candidate nominations ahead of the general elections last April as well as several other accusations. However, he spent most of his time defending his wife and opposing calls for a special probe, claiming that it could lead to "political wrangling."
He further argued that conducting such an investigation without presidential or ruling party approval would contradict constitutional principles.
Yoon firmly rejected the calls, saying "There is no country where the National Assembly alone decides on a special probe..... as such actions violate the principle of separation of powers." He added, "Appointing an independent prosecutor opposed by the president and the ruling party is fundamentally an idea that goes against the Constitution."
Yoon's remarks follow persistent demands by the main opposition Democratic Party for special probes into several accusations including the first lady's alleged interference in the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) candidate nomination process, a stock manipulation scheme, and the acceptance of a luxury handbag.
In recent weeks, there has been growing public scrutiny over the first lady's alleged role in the PPP's candidate selection, particularly after Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed political broker, released recordings of conversations with her. These recordings have intensified calls for clarification from DP lawmakers.
The president himself has also been drawn into the controversy following audio clips released by the opposition, purportedly showing him discussing candidate nominations with Myung.
Other allegations also surfaced that Myung had allegedly manipulated poll survey results in Yoon's favor during his presidential campaign, a claim Yoon denied, explaining, "There was no need to do so because I had already garnered strong support."
Defending the first lady, Yoon stressed that although she is not a public official, her role includes supporting the president in both election campaigns and other state affairs. "If helping the president..... is considered 'abuse of state affairs,' then we might need to redefine its definition," he said.
Closing his remarks, Yoon acknowledged that he may have fallen short in meeting public expectations, but he emphasized his commitment to the people, saying, "Regardless of my efforts, I believe there were times when I caused concern among the public."
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