"There is a child who lives life more slowly than others"
Apology issued to aides over workplace abuse allegations
Kang Sunwoo, the ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, issued an apology on July 14 regarding allegations of workplace abuse involving her aides. Kang stated, "I offer my sincere apologies to the aides who were hurt amid the controversy."
Kang made this statement while responding to a question from Baek Seunga, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, during the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on the same day. Baek had asked, "What are your thoughts after preparing for the confirmation hearing over the past three weeks?"
She said, "Over the past three weeks, I have reflected not only on matters related to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family but also on myself. It was a painful yet, in some ways, a grateful period." She added, "I will humbly accept my shortcomings and strive to live with greater care and deeper consideration in my words and actions going forward."
Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is seen wiping tears during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on the 14th, when asked about her child with developmental disabilities. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding the allegation that she made aides bring down boxes and other trash for recycling, Kang explained, "There were times when I went downstairs because sometimes I would open the packages of items ordered for office use myself, and sometimes I would not." She clarified that this was not for the purpose of trash disposal, but rather for recycling or other uses.
When asked whether she had taken any legal action against former aides who reported the allegations, Kang stated, "I can say clearly that I have not taken any legal action."
However, when asked to submit materials related to the allegations, she said, "I will review it comprehensively," without providing a clear stance.
Regarding the so-called "false address registration" controversy?where her registered address is in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, but she is said to actually reside in Jongno-gu?Kang explained that there were unavoidable circumstances due to her child with developmental disabilities. During her explanation, Kang paused briefly to compose herself and said, "I have a child who lives life more slowly than others." She continued, "After the 21st general election, I moved to Gangseo-gap, my constituency, but moving everyone to Gangseo immediately would have been extremely harsh for my child." She explained, "I kept the Gwanghwamun home so that my child could meet existing friends frequently and gradually adapt to Gangseo in a familiar environment. My main registered residence is in Gangseo, but in practice, we have been moving back and forth." She added that she herself did not use the Gwanghwamun home. Kang emphasized that, because her child with developmental disabilities could have difficulty adjusting to a new environment, she was inevitably splitting her time between Gangseo-gu, her constituency, and the original residence near Gwanghwamun.
Regarding her child, she stated, "My child is my beginning, my everything, and my end."
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