Despite Travel Advisory... Kang Kyung-hwa's Husband Heads to the US to Buy a Yacht

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is seated with her husband, Professor Lee Il-byeong, at the appointment certificate ceremony held at the Blue House on the 18th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended refraining from overseas travel due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, it has been reported that Kang Kyung-wha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent her husband to the United States to purchase a yacht. Although overseas travel itself is not illegal, controversy has arisen as questions are raised about whether the public can be persuaded to follow recommendations that even the family of the head of the responsible ministry does not adhere to.

Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong of Yonsei University, the husband of Minister Kang, reportedly boarded a flight to the United States on the 3rd at Incheon International Airport to purchase a yacht and travel, according to KBS. When asked by KBS reporters about the purpose of his departure, Professor Lee replied, "I'm just going on a trip. It's a free travel."

Regarding the criticism that the government has recommended refraining from overseas travel, he said, "COVID-19 is not going to disappear in a day or two. So, you can't just stay at home all the time."

Professor Lee is expected to meet the seller in the United States to purchase the yacht and then travel overseas by yacht. He has posted such plans on his public blog for several months.

The controversy over Professor Lee's trip to the United States stems from the government issuing a special travel advisory for all countries and regions on March 23.

The special travel advisory does not prohibit overseas travel but recommends canceling or postponing trips considering the COVID-19 situation. The policy is not only for travelers themselves but also aims to prevent the virus from entering the country through unnecessary international movement.

When extending the advisory on the 18th of last month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Considering the need to prevent cases of our citizens contracting COVID-19 during overseas travel and from the perspective of domestic quarantine, it is crucial for our citizens to refrain from overseas visits."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has neither confirmed the facts nor made any statement regarding Professor Lee's trip to the United States, citing it as a "personal matter."