Kwon Youngguk to Kang Sunwoo, Reserved on Gender Issues: "What Do You Want to Achieve as Minister?"

Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party: Kang Sunwoo Unfit for Minister
"Invoking 'social consensus' on key gender policy issues"
"Cannot accept a minister who postpones women's issues"

Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who is facing difficulties at her confirmation hearing due to the so-called "gapjil" (abuse of power) controversy, is also being criticized as unfit for the ministerial post from a policy perspective. On the 14th, Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Democratic Labor Party, called for Kang's voluntary withdrawal on his social media, saying, "What is it that Kang wants to do by becoming a minister?"

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

Kwon stated, "Kang has expressed a reserved stance on all major gender policy issues, such as the non-consensual rape law, comprehensive sex education, the anti-discrimination law, and the life partnership law, on the grounds that 'social consensus must come first.' The non-consensual rape law was one of the policies women most desperately demanded during the last presidential election. Does Kang not hear the words of a sexual violence survivor who, upon meeting a candidate who pledged the non-consensual rape law, said, 'Now I feel I don't have to die'? Furthermore, does she not see the pain of marginalized minorities and the distorted perceptions of sexuality, such as deepfake sex crimes, that are still being confirmed in schools today?"

Kwon continued, "The first symbolic moment when Yoon Sukyeol turned women into enemies was the seven characters 'Abolish Ministry of Gender Equality and Family' he posted on Facebook. Women citizens in the public square demanded that the Lee Jaemyung administration quickly normalize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which had been effectively stalled for three years, and strongly push for reform tasks. Among the politicians who spoke of 'social consensus,' none have actually led the way in creating such consensus." He added, "The public is well aware that this ultimately amounts to saying 'I will not do it.' The non-consensual rape law and the anti-discrimination law already have ample international precedents and are matters on which international consensus has been reached."

He emphasized, "The Democratic Labor Party had already called for the withdrawal of Kang's nomination due to the gapjil controversy and false explanations. With these latest positions, Kang's unfitness for the post has been confirmed once again. We cannot accept a Minister of Gender Equality and Family who postpones women's issues. We urge her to voluntarily withdraw."

Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Democratic Labor Party. Photo by Yonhap News

At Kang's confirmation hearing that day, there was also a question about whether she had put her name on a statement by some Democratic Party lawmakers who referred to the victim in the sexual harassment case involving former Mayor Park Wonsoon as a "person making an allegation." In response, Kang said, "It is not appropriate to refer to the victim by any other name," and added, "Even at that time, I apologized to the victim. I apologize for the harm suffered by the victim." Regarding the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, she stated, "I do not believe that inequality should be made into a political pledge or that gender divisions should be used for political gain."

Kang also made remarks suggesting that reverse discrimination could occur when men are victims of sexual violence. She said, "When a man becomes a victim of sexual violence, I think our cultural and social perspectives are somewhat different compared to when the victim is a woman. As a result, I understand that currently there is only one institution dedicated to serving male victims of sexual violence."

Regarding the gapjil allegations toward aides in her parliamentary office, she said, "I am deeply sorry for the controversy caused by my actions. I sincerely apologize to the aides who may have been hurt by the controversy. I will accept my shortcomings with greater humility, and going forward, I will use this experience as a foundation to live with more care and deeper consideration in my words and actions."