An Hee-jung apologizes for stir caused by 'good will' remark
By Choi Ha-young
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An Hee-jung
South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung apologized, Tuesday, for a stir caused by his comment about President Park Geun-hye and former President Lee Myung-bak.
He had been taking criticism from other liberal presidential hopefuls after expressing his personal opinion about corruption-ridden projects undertaken under Park and Lee in a lecture at Pusan National University, Sunday.
“Many people were hurt by my recent remarks and I really feel sorry for that,” An told reporters while attending a press conference in Seoul.
In Sunday’s lecture, speaking about the scandal-ridden Mir and K-Sports foundations and the much-disputed Four Major Rivers Restoration Project undertaken by Lee, An said they had “good will” when they started the projects.
“I think Park and Lee had good will at first, but failed to follow due procedures in pushing for the projects. All the problems started there,” An said in the lecture.
“Especially, I don’t doubt that the two foundations were established to ensure the successful hosting of the Winter Olympics.”
The remarks aroused controversy because Park has been under investigation for allegedly coercing private firms into donating money to the two foundations, set up by her confidant Choi Soon-il. The independent counsel team believes the donations were a form of bribes.
An later said he made the remarks to emphasize the rule of law.
However, leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in lashed out at An, saying “There is no anger in An’s remarks. We can only establish justice based on fierce anger against injustice.”
In response, An said, “a leader’s anger surely causes bloody revenge.”
The second-largest opposition People’s Party also denounced An’s “flip flopping.” “Don’t make another excuse. If he keeps making excuses for himself, he will look like Moon,” the party Chairman Park Jie-won posted on his Facebook, Tuesday.
“An needs to clarify his view about Park’s activities, because Park’s allegations are almost proven to be wrongdoings. It’s inevitable to interpret them politically,” Choi Chang-ryul of Yongin University said. “It would be worth noting his poll numbers after his remarks.”