SEOUL, July 9 (Yonhap) -- Candidates for the leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Tuesday the results of the April parliamentary elections might have been different if first lady Kim Keon Hee had apologized over her alleged illegal acceptance of a luxury bag in 2022.
The candidates, including former PPP chief Han Dong-hoon and former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, affirmed so when asked by the moderator during their first TV debate to become the party's new leader.
The debate comes ahead of the PPP's national convention on July 23 to elect a new leader in the wake of its crushing defeat in April's parliamentary elections, when they grabbed just 108 of the total 300 seats.
Han called the lack of the first lady's apology a failure to meet the public's expectations, while Won said an apology would have become a turning point to "humbly" reach the people.
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, another candidate, noted that Kim had intentions to apologize, while Rep. Na Kyung-won said the party would have won more seats if Kim had apologized.
The remarks come amid tensions between Han and the presidential office over accusations that Han snubbed text messages from the first lady in January, in which she offered to make a public apology over the luxury bag allegations.
During the debate, Han said there were discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol over the issue and Yoon had said his wife's apology was not necessary.
"First lady Kim did not have any intentions to apologize," Han said, while declining to elaborate on the discussions.
Rep. Na Kyung-won (1st from L), Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun (2nd from L), former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong (3rd from L) and former ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon take part in a TV debate as candidates running to become the new leader of the ruling People Power Party in central Seoul. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
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