Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Joon-sik and Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Cho Yoon-sun have apologized for the influence-peddling scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye's close confidante, Choi Soon-sil.
Lee and Cho offered their apologies on Tuesday during a full session of the National Assembly's Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee when Rep. Do Jong-hwan of the main opposition Democratic Party demanded an apology.
Lee said as a member of the Cabinet, he feels a great deal of responsibility and said he is deeply sorry for greatly disappointing the Korean people and causing concern.
Cho also offered her apologies, saying that she feels the responsibility to make a new start after addressing various allegations surrounding projects related to her ministry. Cho said she will review if any laws were broken and if personal interests were involved in the allegations. She vowed to devise legal and administrative steps to handle such matters.
Source: KBS World Radio