{"id":2207076,"date":"2024-11-08T17:03:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T08:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207076"},"modified":"2024-11-11T16:56:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T07:56:00","slug":"yoon-battles-scandal-as-calls-for-probe-on-first-ladys-influence-gain-momentum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/yoon-battles-scandal-as-calls-for-probe-on-first-ladys-influence-gain-momentum\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoon battles scandal as calls for probe on first lady\u2019s influence gain momentum"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a <\/span>rare public apology<\/span><\/a> Thursday in an attempt to quell escalating political scandals involving claims of election interference and alleged influence peddling by first lady Kim Keon-hee.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 140-minute press conference was Yoon\u2019s most direct response since the scandal erupted on Oct. 31, when the opposition Democratic Party (DP) <\/span>released recordings<\/span><\/a> suggesting Yoon discussed a political nomination with a power broker \u2014 claims the presidential office initially denied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Yoon acknowledged his \u201cshortcomings and lack of virtue,\u201d he only indicated that \u201ccommunication protocols\u201d with the first lady hadn\u2019t been properly observed when pressed on specifics. As a result, the press conference appeared to raise more questions than answers, prompting renewed scrutiny of his administration\u2019s conduct.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the scandal deepens \u2014 with <\/span>allegations<\/span><\/a> now including opinion poll manipulation and preferential treatment in government appointments \u2014 Yoon\u2019s approval rating has plummeted to a record low of <\/span>17%<\/span><\/a>. With opposition lawmakers pushing for a special investigation, analysts told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that Yoon\u2019s defensive stance may have worsened the controversy rather than alleviating it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee before their departure to Laos on Oct. 11, 2024 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

AN UNFOLDING SCANDAL<\/b><\/p>\n

At the center of the unfolding political crisis are recordings purportedly capturing conversations implicating Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee in influencing a 2022 parliamentary by-election. The by-election, held for Changwon\u2019s Uichang district in South Gyeongsang Province, saw Kim Young-seon, a former People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker, <\/span>secure the nomination and ultimately win the seat<\/span><\/a>, despite lacking prior ties to the constituency.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one recording, Yoon is heard discussing the nomination process with Myung Tae-gyun, a political broker, explaining that he had suggested Kim Young-seon as the nominee, despite some reservations within the party. Myung reportedly expresses gratitude for the favor.<\/span><\/p>\n

A second recording, released by the DP and dated May 9, 2022 \u2014 the day before Yoon\u2019s inauguration \u2014 includes Myung speaking to an acquaintance about the first lady\u2019s involvement in political matters. According to the DP, Kim was present during the call, urging Yoon to \u201ctake care of Myung\u2019s issue\u201d and later advising Myung to \u201ckeep this confidential.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

EXPANDING ALLEGATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n

The scandal has since widened, implicating Yoon\u2019s administration in further claims of misconduct. Beyond the alleged influence in the Changwon by-election, accusations have emerged that Yoon\u2019s campaign manipulated opinion polls to sway public sentiment. Other claims suggest first lady Kim influenced the decision to locate a national high-tech industrial complex in her district, sparking questions of favoritism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional reports from media outlets indicate Kim and Myung discussed matters potentially affecting presidential travel schedules. Another allegation suggests Myung recommended a prime ministerial candidate to both Yoon and the first lady, signaling she may have a role in high-level appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the media continues to reveal new details about the interactions between the presidential couple and Myung, political observers warn that these developments could deepen the administration\u2019s troubles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cho Jin-man, a professor at Duksung University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the DP\u2019s possession of multiple recordings creates uncertainty for the president.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis situation is challenging because [the Presidential Office] doesn\u2019t know to what extent things have been recorded or what exactly is on those recordings,\u201d Cho said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cho described the DP\u2019s gradual disclosure strategy as a \u201csalami-slicing\u201d tactic to build pressure for impeachment, though he warned it carries its own risks, particularly given judicial uncertainties surrounding DP leader Lee Jae-myung.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol waves during the ruling People Power Party’s National Convention in March 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE\u2019S RESPONSE<\/b><\/p>\n

As the scandal evolved, the presidential office shifted its stance. Initially, officials <\/span>asserted<\/span><\/a> that Yoon had met Myung only twice and had \u201cno recollection\u201d of contacting him via phone or text.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, after the recordings emerged, the presidential office <\/span>reportedly<\/span><\/a> conceded<\/span><\/a> that Yoon had called Myung, characterizing his remarks as polite acknowledgments rather than interference in the nomination process.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the press conference, Yoon explained that he had reached out to Myung to thank him for supporting the campaign\u2019s early stages, after Myung had made contact following the election win. He denied any improper conduct, though he acknowledged discrepancies between his memory and his staff\u2019s earlier statements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yoon argued that simply expressing an opinion on a nomination could not be considered interference, questioning the DP\u2019s accusations of \u201cstate corruption\u201d by asserting that assisting the president in running a smooth administration should not be viewed negatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yoon opposed calls for a special investigation into the first lady\u2019s alleged misconduct, citing constitutional concerns. He stressed that prosecutorial authority should remain within the executive branch, identifying it as \u201cunconstitutional.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He further argued that the special investigation proposal drafted by the opposition violates prosecutorial systems in other liberal democracies, giving the example of the U.S. system where special prosecutors are appointed by the attorney general at the president\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Yoon\u2019s own history, serving as chief investigator for the special counsel probe into former President Park Geun-hye and her confidante, Choi Soon-sil. The investigation was initiated by the opposition-controlled National Assembly and allowed prosecutors broad investigative powers \u2014 the same framework Yoon now calls \u201cunconstitutional.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Lee Jae-myung (center), leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, with fellow party lawmakers during a protest against the Yoon and the First Lady held near Seoul Station on Nov. 2, 2024 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

PUBLIC REACTION AND EXPERT VIEWS<\/b><\/p>\n

Despite Yoon\u2019s attempts to address the allegations, critics argue his response fell short.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhee Jong-hoon, a senior consultant at Politics and Business Consulting, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that Yoon\u2019s apology lacked sincerity and may have missed a crucial opportunity to defuse the scandal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he wanted to win back public trust, the president should have offered a genuine apology,\u201d Rhee said. \u201cHe should have openly admitted to any mistakes and expressed sincere regret. That\u2019s what makes an apology authentic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhee also criticized Yoon\u2019s defense of the first lady, noting a disconnect between the public\u2019s perception and the president\u2019s message. \u201cThe public seems to think that Kim Keon-hee has done something wrong, but according to the president, she is simply an innocent woman,\u201d Rhee remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the allegations of interference in the nomination process, Rhee warned of potentially serious legal implications, drawing parallels to past administrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoth former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak faced criminal convictions over election law violations,\u201d he said, challenging Yoon\u2019s defense that his statements were merely opinions. \u201cThe president\u2019s \u2018opinion\u2019 is not the same as that of an ordinary citizen. In our presidential system, his opinion can be perceived as a directive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s <\/span>Public Official Election Act<\/span><\/a> mandates that government officials cannot use their positions to participate in any political activities, whether it\u2019s internal party nominations or general elections, including campaign planning or polling. Individuals who violate the law can face up to three years in prison. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

From left: Candlelight protests against then-President Park Geun-hye in downtown Seoul on Oct. 29, 2016, then-President Park Geun-hye delivers a national address regarding the Sewol Ferry incident in 2014 | Images: Teddy Cross via Flickr<\/a> (CC BY 2.0<\/a>), ROK Presidential Archives<\/a>, edited by Korea Pro<\/p><\/div>\n

IMPEACHMENT POSSIBILITY<\/b><\/p>\n

With Yoon\u2019s approval ratings at an all-time low, <\/span>media<\/span><\/a> speculation<\/span><\/a> has turned to the possibility of impeachment. Comparisons have been drawn to former President Park Geun-hye\u2019s 2017 impeachment, where Yoon himself, then a chief prosecutor, led the investigation that resulted in her conviction.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, downplayed the likelihood of this scenario, arguing that only one of three necessary conditions has been met for the National Assembly to successfully impeach Yoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor an impeachment to proceed, three [political] conditions must be met,\u201d Shin told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>. \u201cThere must be a clear reason for impeachment, the approval rating should fall below 10% and remain low for a while, and the ruling party must show signs of distancing itself from the president.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Yoon\u2019s approval ratings are low, Shin noted that the PPP has not distanced itself from the president and that the ruling party is unlikely to do so given former President Park Geun-hye\u2019s impeachment in 2017. He added that the ruling party\u2019s internal divisions don\u2019t indicate a willingness to support impeachment.<\/span><\/p>\n

DP leader Lee Jae-myung\u2019s legal challenges further complicate matters. Reelected as DP leader in August, Lee faces a possible two-year prison sentence and five-year election ban for alleged <\/span>false statements<\/span><\/a> from his 2022 presidential campaign. His legal troubles have hindered the DP\u2019s ability to push for impeachment and could shift focus away from Yoon\u2019s controversies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol answers questions during a televised press conference on Nov. 7, 2024 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/p><\/div>\n

POTENTIAL FALLOUT<\/b><\/p>\n

Political analysts suggest that, while impeachment appears unlikely, the scandal\u2019s impact on Yoon\u2019s administration may be significant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhee of Politics and Business Consulting observed that Yoon\u2019s delayed response, given only after approval ratings dipped below 20%, weakened his position. \u201cHe waited until approval ratings fell below 20% to take action,\u201d Rhee noted, criticizing the timing as reactive rather than proactive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhee warned that Yoon risks losing his governing momentum if he continues to downplay public sentiment. \u201cPresident Yoon has nearly lost his governing momentum,\u201d he said, adding that discussions around a \u201cdead-duck\u201d presidency have already begun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cho of Duksung University, meanwhile, suggested that personnel changes within the presidential office may be on the horizon as Yoon\u2019s team works to contain the scandal\u2019s fallout. He cautioned against direct comparisons to Park Geun-hye\u2019s impeachment, but noted that Yoon\u2019s administration could face similar political headwinds if public sentiment doesn\u2019t improve.<\/span><\/p>\n

CHALLENGES AHEAD<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s ongoing scandal has left Yoon at a critical juncture. With new revelations emerging daily and public trust eroding, the administration faces increasing pressure to address the claims in a way that satisfies the opposition and the broader public.<\/span><\/p>\n

While impeachment seems improbable, the controversy could significantly undermine Yoon\u2019s ability to govern effectively. Experts warn that without a more decisive response, Yoon risks a loss of credibility that could impair his administration\u2019s ability to function effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Democratic Party considers its options, the scandal\u2019s long-term impact on South Korea\u2019s political stability remains uncertain. The coming months will test Yoon\u2019s ability to reclaim public trust amid the unfolding allegations and public dissatisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a rare public apology Thursday in an attempt to quell escalating political scandals involving claims of election interference and alleged influence peddling by first lady Kim Keon-hee. 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