Home

The Korea Herald

Latest news

Most Popular

  1. 1

    Korean battery makers brace for impact of US election

    Korean battery makers brace for impact of US election
  2. 2

    Who is writer of Hybe's controversial internal report?

    Who is writer of Hybe's controversial internal report?
  3. 3

    After opposition U-turn, Korea to repeal plan for financial capital gains tax

    After opposition U-turn, Korea to repeal plan for financial capital gains tax
  4. 4

    [AtoZ of Korean mind] Ever noticed some Koreans talk to themselves?

    [AtoZ of Korean mind] Ever noticed some Koreans talk to themselves?
  5. 5

    [Breaking] North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles: JCS

    [Breaking] North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles: JCS
  1. 6

    Amid record-low approval rating, Yoon forgoes Assembly budget address

    Amid record-low approval rating, Yoon forgoes Assembly budget address
  2. 7

    Gangnam Station ramming suspect to face detention

    Gangnam Station ramming suspect to face detention
  3. 8

    South Korea and Central Asia set stage for first summit

    South Korea and Central Asia set stage for first summit
  4. 9

    [From the Scene] Gumi, home to Nongshim’s largest factory, rebrands itself as ‘city of ramyeon'

    [From the Scene] Gumi, home to Nongshim’s largest factory, rebrands itself as ‘city of ramyeon'
  5. 10

    Local food festivals enjoy unexpected popularity as snacks go viral

    Local food festivals enjoy unexpected popularity as snacks go viral
피터빈트

Yoon expresses regret over controversial remarks on ex-President Chun

By Yonhap

Published : Oct. 21, 2021 - 11:44

    • Link copied

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), expressed regret Thursday after coming under intense criticism for his remarks seeming to praise former authoritarian President Chun Doo-hwan.Yoon said Tuesday that many people think Chun did well in politics, except for his bloody suppression of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju and his seizing power through a coup.The comments sparked a backlash especially because he said even some people in the Honam region, which includes Gwangju, agreed. SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), expressed regret Thursday after coming under intense criticism for his remarks seeming to praise former authoritarian President Chun Doo-hwan.Yoon said Tuesday that many people think Chun did well in politics, except for his bloody suppression of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju and his seizing power through a coup.The comments sparked a backlash especially because he said even some people in the Honam region, which includes Gwangju, agreed."I certainly did not defend or praise (Chun's) government," Yoon said at an event at the PPP headquarters in Seoul. "But I humbly accept the comments and criticism from many people that my explanation and comparison were inappropriate and express regret."Yoon reiterated that he used the comparison to underscore his resolve to take the advice of experts in various fields and delegate authority to them if he becomes president."I will continue to uphold the people's will from a humble position and achieve a change of government in line with the people's wishes," he added.This photo shows Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), at a presidential primary debate in Daegu on Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), expressed regret Thursday after coming under intense criticism for his remarks seeming to praise former authoritarian President Chun Doo-hwan.

Yoon said Tuesday that many people think Chun did well in politics, except for his bloody suppression of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju and his seizing power through a coup.

The comments sparked a backlash especially because he said even some people in the Honam region, which includes Gwangju, agreed.

"I certainly did not defend or praise (Chun's) government," Yoon said at an event at the PPP headquarters in Seoul. "But I humbly accept the comments and criticism from many people that my explanation and comparison were inappropriate and express regret."

Yoon reiterated that he used the comparison to underscore his resolve to take the advice of experts in various fields and delegate authority to them if he becomes president.

"I will continue to uphold the people's will from a humble position and achieve a change of government in line with the people's wishes," he added. (Yonhap)

More from Headlines