GNP “Apologies for 10 Billion Won”

On October 22, concerning Rep. Choi Don-woong’s admission to the prosecution of accepting 10 billion won in SK slush fund, Chairman of the Grand National Party (GNP), Choe Byung-yul apologized to the people “for making the general public concerned about the matter.”

Spokesperson Park Jin continued the delivery of Chairman Choe’s remarks, saying, “Since the investigation is under way, we will continue to keep our eyes on this matter and will expect a fair investigation.”

This indirect apology made through the spokesman is the first official apology from the GNP since the prosecution started the investigation on the SK slush fund.

Before the announcement, the GNP’s Chairman called for an emergency top-officials’ meeting and concluded at the meeting that “since Rep. Choi admitted he had received the 10 billion won, the GNP’s chairman should apologize in front of the people himself.” But because the investigation has not ended yet, they decided to make an “indirect apology” through the spokesperson.

Concerning this matter, Chairman Choe is planning to give a direct public apology speech after the prosecution’s investigation comes to a conclusion after the exact account of usage of the SK slush fund is given.

In the meantime, legal advisor, Shim Kyu-chul said at the press conference, “We spoke on the phone with Rep. Choi on the evening of October 21. He said he had to admit it was against his own will because he was too tired, that he never seized the money for personal reasons, and that he did not reveal how the money was spent.”

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com