Lawmakers apologize for "kneeling kick" remarks made in front of victim

Two lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, Seo Beom-soo and Jin Jong-oh, have apologized after making remarks that appeared to mock the "Kneeling Kick" assault case. The incident occurred on August 4 at a parliamentary seminar hosted by independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, and the victim of the assault was present in the audience.

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Jin Jong-oh, shall we try a kneeling kick?

Before the seminar began, Seo reportedly turned to Jin, an Olympic shooting gold medalist, and said, "Jin Jong-oh, shall we try a kneeling kick?" Jin responded with a laugh, "I'm better with my hands than my feet." The "Kneeling Kick" case involves an assault that occurred in Busan in 2022, where the victim, identified as Kim Jin-ju (pseudonym), was attacked while returning home. It was later revealed through a supplementary investigation by the prosecution that the assault was intended as a sexual offense.

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I'm better with my hands than my feet.

The exchange quickly drew sharp criticism. Seo Beom-soo issued an apology on his Facebook page, admitting, "I made a slip of the tongue. I offer no excuses. It was entirely my fault." He added, "The pain of criminal victimization should never be spoken of lightly." He expressed deep regret for the potential hurt caused to the victim, who had bravely attended the seminar, stating, "I cannot lift my head thinking about the hurt the victim might have felt upon belatedly learning of this remark. I bow my head in apology to the victim and their family."

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I made a slip of the tongue. I offer no excuses. It was entirely my fault. The pain of criminal victimization should never be spoken of lightly. I cannot lift my head thinking about the hurt the victim might have felt upon belatedly learning of this remark. I bow my head in apology to the victim and their family.

Jin Jong-oh also released a statement apologizing for his "inappropriate remark." He said, "I apologize to the victim of the kneeling kick case and to all attendees and the public for the hurt caused by my inappropriate words." He pledged to "deeply consider the pain of victims" and "reflect on the weight of words spoken by public figures." Jin promised to "act with greater caution in the future to ensure such an incident never happens again."

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I apologize to the victim of the kneeling kick case and to all attendees and the public for the hurt caused by my inappropriate words. I pledge to deeply consider the pain of victims and reflect on the weight of words spoken by public figures. I promise to act with greater caution in the future to ensure such an incident never happens again.