Kang Sunwoo Denies 'Aide Mistreatment Allegations', Says Bidet Repair Was 'Seeking Advice'

July 14 National Assembly Gender Equality Committee Hearing for Kang Sunwoo
Kang Sunwoo Responds to Bidet Repair Allegation: "Somewhat Exaggerated"

Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who has been accused of mistreating her aides, explained that her instruction regarding a bidet repair was "seeking advice."

Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on July 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the confirmation hearing conducted by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on July 14, Kang responded to allegations that she had instructed her aides to repair a bidet during her term as a lawmaker by saying, "The media report in question is somewhat exaggerated," and added, "The content of the report was not from a direct party involved, but from a third party."

She explained, "That morning, there was a flood in the bathroom and water was gushing out from the bidet nozzle. So, instead of asking the aides at the National Assembly Members' Office in Yeouido, I sought advice and requested assistance from the aides at the local office." She added, "The local office and my home are only two minutes apart by car."

Kang stated, "At the time, it was an urgent situation, so I sought advice and asked for help, and I did not consider that this could be seen as an unfair work order. That was due to my own shortcomings."

She continued, "It was entirely inconsiderate behavior, and I apologize to the aides who may have been hurt by this. However, I would like to clarify that I did not call the aides from the Yeouido Members' Office, and that the repair was carried out through a parts supplier."

Kang faces allegations that, during her term as a lawmaker, she instructed aides to repair toilets and separate household waste from her home. There were also claims that she replaced her aides 46 times after being elected to the National Assembly in 2020, but her side corrected this, stating, "It was not 46 people, but 28."