Shin Jae-min “I’m not associated with any political organization…this is not noise marketing” (Emergency Press Conference)

2019-1-1, TV Chosun

Shin Jae-min holds a press conference 2019-1-

Shin Jae-min’s statement below.

“I’m sorry that you have to work because of me during the end of year holidays. The reason why I’m holding the the press conference is to talk about the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) charging me and explain my position formally regarding the videos I uploaded [on YouTube].”
–Shin Jae-mi

[The charges were filed after he exposed that the Blue House ordered the replacement of the head of a private enterprise (KT&G–Korea Tobacco & Ginseng), forced MOEF to cancel the debt buy back the day before it was scheduled, and to instructed MOEF to issue 4 trillion won ($3.6 billion) worth of bonds. He also wanted to explain why he came forward to expose.]

First, regarding the accusation [that I exposed the above incidents] as “noise marketing in order to get attention to become a Hagwon [after school education class] lecture in order to earn income for living–I did not make the videos to make a living that way. In order for me to earn income for living, I first have to let the people know what I have observed to be unfair and wrong. I felt that if I noticed it, then other government workers would too, and if I do not let people know, I’m not confident that I could move on to doing something else for living

Second, regarding the MOEF’s charges…I understand that the MOEF side is saying that I don’t know the incident well, but regarding the government bonds, I was the person responsible for them and [I] reported to the minister four times (on the bond issue). At the MOEF, there are only three people left who knows about the incidents. In such a situation, to say that I don’t know the actual situation is really difficult for me to accept.

As for the MOEF charges against him, if the investigation begins, I will earnestly cooperate.

I have studied for four years for the government entrance examination [Note: This is not unusual. Obtaining a government position is extremely competitive in South Korea. The exams are difficult and people study for years.] and I worked for four years in the government. While I was preparing for the exam, my own view of the state and the calling I felt, and my determination when I first started, and my passion when I began at the MOEF, and the desolation [I felt] when I saw the KT&G incident, the despair [I felt] after the debt [bond] incident–these things, I don’t want any civil servants who come in with passion to feel the despair I felt…That’s why I made the video and revealed the materials
I feel that those who inform in the interest of the public should not be [forced into going] in hiding, to talk very carefully, or be ostracized from the society…I didn’t know that making the [YouTube] video would lead to questioning of my sincerely or to cause such an impact on the society…I’ve been staying at a motel partly to avoid the press, but now I’ll justly face the investigation and conduct interviews with the journalists too.