President Lee: “I’m sorry to Park Jin-young... I regret and feel sorry that I couldn’t accord him the proper respect”

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung said on the 6th that he “deeply regret[s] and feel[s] sorry that [he] could not accord [Park Jin-young] the proper respect,” addressing Park, co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, who is set to appear at a National Assembly audit amid controversy over his “unpaid” remark.
That day, President Lee shared on X (formerly Twitter) an article saying that Park had volunteered to appear as a witness at a National Assembly audit to dispel doubts about his sincerity, and wrote as follows.
President Lee said, “I feel sorry to Chairman Park Jin-young,” adding, “You have been working so hard to promote South Korea’s cultural exports, making time and paying expenses out of your own pocket, all without compensation.” He continued, “But the Korean people and Korea’s cultural history will remember Park Jin-young’s dedication and hard work.”
He added, “I offer my thanks on behalf of the people,” and urged him, “I know this is shameless of me, but please set aside any hurt feelings and keep working a little harder to help K-pop, South Korea and its culture spread around the world.” He also asked the public, “I hope you will also offer praise and encouragement.”
Earlier, People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin took issue with Park’s “unpaid” remark. Citing the committee’s budget execution records, Bae said on the 29th of last month that Park had received about 2 million won per month in position-related expenses since November last year, and had also been provided with a business expense card and overseas travel expenses.
In response, Park said on SBS radio’s “Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show” that day, regarding the expenses he received, “I didn’t know I was receiving them,” and said he was willing to return them. He also expressed concern that if he declined the expenses, his successor could face the same demand and find it difficult to carry out the work.
Park is scheduled to appear as a witness at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 7th.
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter