People Power Party Chairperson Kim Yong-tae said on the 21st, "People Power Party humbly apologizes to the public for not heeding the concerns of the people regarding Kim Keon-hee's past actions," adding, "We will deeply reflect on this issue and pledge to undergo fundamental changes."
This is the first official apology from the People Power Party regarding the Kim Keon-hee issue.
Chairperson Kim held a press conference that day at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "I want to express the party's sincere reflections and apologies regarding the Kim Keon-hee issue."
The move follows criticism from the Democratic Party of Korea, which stated, after proposing a 'TV debate for spouses of presidential candidates,' that they had not neglected Kim Keon-hee's formidable influence.
Chairperson Kim promised to take responsibility and implement alternatives for the first lady issue in the spirit of 'solving the problem after creating it.'
First, he stated that a transparent verification process would be established from the perspective of the people's right to know. Chairperson Kim said, "We will ensure a process to transparently disclose matters so that controversies are neither concealed nor exaggerated through proper procedures."
He also stated, "We will assign public roles and responsibilities to the first lady, clarify the budgeting and implementation processes for the spouse's activities, and ensure that if the first lady abuses her public authority or commits illegal acts, she will bear legal responsibility like any other public official."
Chairperson Kim remarked, "We will also push for institutional improvements to ensure that monitoring and supervision processes regarding the president's family and close associates are conducted transparently without gaps."
Chairperson Kim said, "To dismiss the first lady issue as merely a problem of a specific administration and to evade scrutiny lacks sincerity," adding, "Lee Jae-myung’s camp noted the necessity for an endless investigation regarding Kim Hye-kyung. As the wife of a presidential candidate, she should appropriately be subject to scrutiny before the public."
He urged, "Regarding the rejected proposal for a TV debate, I understand it was declined, and I will not limit the method. I ask the Democratic Party to propose their methods for verifying the first lady."
Chairperson Kim addressed the investigation of Kim Keon-hee, which the People Power Party has opposed, stating, "The prosecution is currently investigating Kim, and it would be good if the prosecution first clarifies its position on whether it lacks investigative capacity,' adding, "If necessary, we will consider it afterward."
Regarding former President Yoon Suk-yeol watching a movie claiming election fraud, he said, "Former President Yoon shocked the public with the declaration of martial law and should not publicly engage but demonstrate repentance to the public."