"Kang Sunwoo Is Overflowing with Love for the Socially Disadvantaged"... Ruling Party Refutes Workplace Abuse Allegations

Kang Sunwoo, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Nominee, Faces Workplace Abuse Allegations
Heo Jongshik: "It Seems Someone Is Harassing Her Behind the Curtain"
Kang's Side: "Two Aides Are Providing False Information"

Amid allegations of workplace abuse by an aide to Kang Sunwoo, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea who has been nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, a series of public defenses of Kang have emerged. On the 13th, Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jongshik wrote on his social media, "From my experience, Kang is a person of integrity," adding, "As someone with a daughter with a disability, Kang is overflowing with love for the socially disadvantaged."

Kang Sunwoo, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Nominee. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Heo stated, "Such a person committing workplace abuse? I cannot understand it. I am not just dismayed but angry, as it seems someone is hiding behind the curtain to harass Kang. If there is something to say, it should be said. However, the means and methods must be legitimate. I trust Kang."

Previously, the mother of a senior secretary in Kang’s parliamentary office, identified as Ms. A, also publicly expressed her support for Kang. On the 12th, Ms. A wrote on her social media, "My connection with Kang began when my daughter, who was taking a break at the time, volunteered in the publicity team for the Gangseo-gu mayoral by-election campaign." She added, "If Kang were someone who mistreated her aides or habitually engaged in so-called workplace abuse, would my daughter have been able to work so happily as a secretary for nearly two years?" This is interpreted as a rejection of the workplace abuse allegations against Kang.

The opposition party criticized these defenses as "secondary victimization." Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said on KBS Sunday Diagnosis on the 13th, "Kang Sunwoo’s side claimed that 'the aide originally did not get along well with other staff and was a problematic person,' which constitutes serious secondary harm." Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon also commented on social media, "Workplace abuse is typically directed at the weak and flattery at the powerful, so of course, Kang would not abuse someone like Representative Heo."

The civic group Workplace Abuse 119 stated, "We oppose appointing someone whose alleged abusive behavior has not been resolved to the position of Minister of Gender Equality and Family, a role responsible for protecting the rights of the socially disadvantaged and minorities, and for advancing the values of gender equality and human rights."

According to data submitted to the People Power Party lawmaker Han Jia’s office by the National Assembly Secretariat, Kang has appointed 51 aides in the five years since being elected as a lawmaker, and 46 aides have left their positions during the same period. SBS also reported that while serving as a lawmaker, Kang allegedly made aides handle household garbage disposal and toilet repairs at her home, raising so-called "workplace abuse" suspicions.

However, Kang’s side sent a message to ruling party confirmation hearing committee members on the 12th, claiming, "Two former aides are maliciously providing false information," and asserted, "Both individuals caused severe internal conflict and had issues with attendance and work behavior."

Regarding the workplace abuse allegations, Kang stated, "I have a housekeeper, so there is no need for me to do housework myself," and added, "These are merely secondhand accounts, not direct testimony from those involved." On the report of "46 aides dismissed," Kang explained, "The figure is a cumulative total that includes duplicate counts due to changes in job titles, and the actual number of dismissals is around 28," emphasizing, "This is within the normal range."

The National Assembly will hold confirmation hearings for 16 ministerial nominees in the Lee Jaemyung administration from July 14 to July 18. Kang’s hearing will be held on the same day as those for Baek Kyunghoon, Minister of Science and ICT nominee; Jeon Jaesoo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee; and Chung Dongyoung, Minister of Unification nominee.