South Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol apologizes for his wife: she should have behaved better

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke on Thursday during a press conference, during which for over two hours he mainly answered questions about the series of controversies surrounding his wife Kim Keon Hee. More accusations have been made against her for months, including: for corruption and interference in state affairs, writes “Korea Times”.

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In his speech, the president apologized to citizens for the constant concern about the accusations against his wife. He admitted that Kim Keon Hee “should have behaved better,” the BBC notes. He also said her lack of caution had caused public concern, which was “unquestionably wrong,” and bowed low to the audience as an apology. As the media emphasizes, this is the first such apology from Yoon Suk Yeol. However, he added that her image had been excessively “demonized.” According to him, some of the allegations against his wife are “exaggerated” and she had no influence on state affairs and only advised him as his wife.

He also announced that he would create an office to supervise the first lady's official duties. Yoon also said that Kim Keon Hee will refrain from public activities for now, unless it is necessary for diplomacy and state interests. On Friday, a presidential official said that the first lady would not accompany the head of state on foreign trips planned for this month. However, the president rejected calls to initiate a formal investigation into his wife's activities.

The BBC indicates that the controversies surrounding the first lady include: a case stretching back to 2023. Then, one of the YouTube channels published a recording showing her accepting a luxurious Dior handbag from a pastor worth 3 million Korean won, i.e. the equivalent of approximately PLN 8.6 thousand. zloty. The recording was recorded by the priest himself using a camera installed in his watch a year earlier, in September 2022. Local media called the situation a “scandal”.

In February this year, President Yoon said that his wife's action was regrettable, but he also said that the video was published on the Internet for political reasons. They were published, as he argued, long after the situation occurred and shortly before the parliamentary elections. The opposition then said that the president's attitude was “shameless”.

Politicians of the opposition Democratic Party also accuse Kim Keon Hee of involvement in manipulating stock prices. However, this year the president vetoed a bill that could have initiated an investigation into these allegations. The woman is also accused of interfering in government affairs. The opposition claims that the first lady tried to interfere in the nomination of candidates in the elections of the ruling People's Power Party, of which the president is a member.

According to the BBC, Yoon is now trying to improve his image as his popularity in society is declining largely due to his wife. The Korea Times writes that his support has dropped below 20 percent. for the first time since being sworn in in May 2022.

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