Chun Young-sik Unveils Former President Park Geun-hye’s Unpublished Remarks on Sewol Ferry

2019-8-14, PennMike

Memer of the KBS Board of Directors Chun Young-sik (천영식), the last Secretary for Public Affairs of the Park Geun-hye administration, unveiled President Park Geun-hye’s (박근혜) unpublished remarks related to Sewol ferry.

Director Chun Young-sik posted on his Facebook on August 14, 2019, saying, “I am happy that Minister Kim Kwan-jin (김관진) was found not guilty in the trial related to Sewol ferry today,” and continued, “Here’s an unpublished statement by President Park on the Sewol ferry.”

Chun said, “There was a trial against Kim Gwan-jin and others, who were accused of suspicion of manipulation of the Sewol ferry report time.” “Former Chief of Staff im Ki-chun (김기춘) was found guilty, but Kim Jang-soo (김장수) and Kim Kwan-jin, who were National Security Advisers consecutively, were found not guilty.  Of course [the verdict] should be not guilty.”

Further, he stated “There is no reason to manipulate Sewol Ferry report and they do not have such characters [to manipulate].  It is very sad that the myths, exaggerations, and falsehoods about Sewol ferry are still circulating. Minister Kim Kwan-jin said he saw my Facebook comment.  My respect for him is unchanged.”

Chun said, “I’ll introduce President Park Geun-hye’s voice in relation to the Sewol ferry. It will be published in the Shin Dong-a series early next week.  The topic this time is my analysis of why the Sewol ferry issue became so degenerated.”

Lastly, Chun said, “The following [below the line] is what President Park Geun-hye said in private; I was very heartbroken and in tears as I heard [her say it] in person at that time at the Blue House.”  Further, Chun said, “The Sewol accident was a terrible tragedy, but I think it was excessive to link it with President Park Geun-hye. The series [in Shin Dong-a] has a before and after context, but here, I’ll introduce only the President’s words.  I hope this becomes a chance to rethink the issue.”

The following is the full text of former President Park Geun-hye’s undisclosed remarks related to the Sewol issue spoken at the end of 2016.

--------------------

It’s heartbreaking.  Many young students fell victim (in the ferry sinking). The ship safety law was not passed and the ship that should not have been [allowed to sail] slipped through the corruption chain.

The Sewol ferry issue occurred on Wednesday; I was in poor condition that day.  I was tired and requested for sore throat gargling medication from Captain Shin.  I had a sore throat. There was no official schedule that day, but Captain Shin came in the morning, and the Jung sisters came in the afternoon.  That morning, I didn’t even watch TV [for the news]. There was a pile of reports for my rreview and approval. Given my nature, I couldn’t just leave the reports there unaddressed.  There was no leisure time to watch TV [for the news]. I normally watch TV in the evenings for news. Of course that day, I watched [TV] to watch them being rescued.

After I received the report in the morning, I ordered a prompt rescue.  The National Security Adviser reported that they were rescued, and I felt assured, and watched [the rescue operations] on TV.  I felt relieved. After some time passed, it was revealed that there was an error [in the earlier news reporting that people were all rescued].  So I thought I should go to Joongdaebon (중대본, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters) and ordered the bodyguards to prepare.  I waited for the time needed for Joongdaebon, the body guards, etc. to get ready and went to Joongdaebon. I made a comment about life vests, because I recall seeing in the initial written report that the ship had 120% of the life vests needed, and thought it might be OK.  It was in the Joongdaebo’s report [that was reported to me]. What I meant was to search for everyone.

My hair was done in a short hair style [this is in response to one of many false stories reported in the news that she was “missing for 7 hours” to get her hair done, implying elaborate hair style].  My tonsils were swollen, so [my health was] not good that day…so when I heard later about the [false] news reports about [me having] a secret love affair, I was extremely sorrowful. I felt sorrow. It made me wonder what is happening to this country.  I did not receive shots [false stories also reported in the news, such as Viagra, propofol, etc.] that day. Captain Kim does not like to resort to shots. I did get a shot by a woman with a nursing background, and it is not a special shot, but a regular vitamin shot.  When I’m tired or sick, I get shots prescribed by medical professionals. Can a president not get a vitamin shot? They’re making me into a strange woman with [by twisting] words.”

Source:  https://www.pennmike.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=21387