South Korean Presidential Office comments on controversy surrounding Kim Jin-pyo's memoir: ”Distortion, regrettable”

The South Korean presidential office issued a statement on the 27th in response to the public controversy surrounding the contents of the memoirs of former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jinpyo.
"It is unfortunate that someone of such high rank would inappropriately distort and publicly disclose the contents of a private meeting with the president at the National Prayer Breakfast," he said, expressing regret over Kim's actions.
The spokesman added, "At the time, President Yoon ordered that allegations raised in the media be thoroughly investigated whenever meetings were held among related agencies to resolve the disaster and prevent accidents.
"President Yoon questioned why opening one lane would have eased congestion on the sidewalk and prevented accidents, but that had not been done.
Kim's memoir, "What has the Republic of Korea accumulated?" includes a passage in which President Yoon expressed the conspiracy theory of a far-right YouTuber regarding the Itaewon tragedy.
In response, Kim said that in a meeting with President Yoon at the National Prayer Breakfast on December 5, 2022, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min had "taken responsibility for the Itaewon tragedy and offered to resign."
President Yoon said, "There are doubts about the Itaewon tragedy, and we are in a situation where we cannot reach a decision," and added, "I have no doubt that this accident was deliberately carried out by certain forces.
In response to President Yoon's reaction, Kim said, "The conspiracy theories in the broadcasts of far-right YouTubers may have influenced the president's actions.
"I couldn't believe the words were coming out of my mouth," he wrote. As Kim's memoir caused a stir, the presidential office has been taking proactive measures to try to resolve the situation.
The presidential office said, "On the day of the accident, traffic lanes were opened to control the crowds at the Gwanghwamun demonstration organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions," and added, "President Yoon has requested that all 119 calls made at the time of the accident be made public."
"He has instructed them to do so and recently actively accepted the Itaewon Special Act," he added.