Kim Haeng, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Nominee, from Blank Trust to Abortion Remarks... Controversy A to Z

"Unavoidable Situation" Amid Blank Trust Controversy
Denies Friendship Rumors with Kim Geon-hee
Emphasizes "Tolerance" in Response to 'Support for Rape Abortion' Controversy

On the 13th, Kim Haeng, who was nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, stopped doorstepping (brief press conferences) amid various controversies. From the controversy over the blind trust of stocks to the friendship controversy with First Lady Kim Geon-hee and remarks on abortion, numerous issues have piled up, and a heated debate is expected at the parliamentary hearing scheduled as early as the end of this month.

◆Declaration of 'Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family' = At the time of the cabinet reshuffle announcement, Kim mentioned the abolition of the ministry as her first statement. She said, "While the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family exists, I will actively communicate with the public and do my best for the target groups." At a brief press conference on the morning of the 14th, she emphasized, "I will exit dramatically." This has led to concerns that the role of the ministry might be diminished. Park Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a briefing, "The functions and status of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should be strengthened. We urge Kim Haeng to resign immediately for the realization of women's rights and a gender-equal society."

◆Controversy over Blind Trust of Stocks = After being appointed as the Blue House spokesperson in 2013, Kim sold all the shares (worth 597.36 million KRW) of Social News (operator of Wikitree) held by herself and her spouse. However, according to media reports, Kim’s sister-in-law is believed to have purchased shares worth approximately 385 million KRW that were previously held by Kim’s spouse.

On the 14th, Kim Haeng, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is answering reporters' questions as she arrives at her campaign office in Chungjeongno, Seoul. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

Although the sister-in-law is not a related party required to place stocks in a blind trust under the Public Officials Ethics Act, selling shares to a close family member and then repurchasing them raises suspicions of 'parking' the stocks (entrusting them to another person). It is reported that Kim’s family began regaining their shares around 2018. However, Kim explained that "there were many debts at the bank, and the company was unable to place the stocks in a blind trust," and that the sister-in-law had no choice but to take on the shares.

◆Allegations of Friendship with First Lady Kim Geon-hee = Allegations have also been raised that Kim Haeng has a close relationship with First Lady Kim Geon-hee. On the 18th, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok appeared on KBS's 'The Live' and hinted that Kim Geon-hee recommended Kim Haeng to the party’s nomination committee during last year’s local elections. According to media reports, Kim Haeng attended the opening ceremony of the 'Jumping with Love Exhibition' hosted by Wikitree and organized by Covana Contents in 2013, among other occasions where she was seen with the First Lady. In 2019, Kim even left a comment saying "My heart flutters" on the First Lady’s social media.

Kim Haeng has consistently denied the allegations of friendship with the First Lady. At a brief press conference on the morning of the 14th, she said, "I was born in the 1970s, and the First Lady was born in the 1970s, so I don’t know how we could be connected," adding, "She is too far away for me to have a friendship with."

◆Controversy over Remarks Supporting Abortion in Cases of Rape = In 2012, Kim appeared on Wikitree’s social broadcast and commented on the Constitutional Court’s ruling upholding the abortion law. At the time, she said, "Whether the woman is poor, the man ran away, or she was raped, if there is tolerance that society can gently accept before social and economic support, I believe the woman can somehow raise the child." These remarks resurfaced and became controversial. As the controversy grew, Kim explained, "(Pregnant women in crisis) are the target of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s policy services," and said, "We should show tolerance toward them."