Anonymous Staff Chatroom: "Feeling a Sense of Shame"
Kang Sunwoo: "Trash Disposal and Toilet Repair Allegations Are Not True"
Jeong Chungrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sent a message of support to Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who has been embroiled in allegations of mistreatment of her aides. He said, "You will soon become Minister, so stay strong."
On July 15, Jeong Chungrae posted on his Facebook page, "Kang Sunwoo was a warm-hearted mother and an excellent member of the National Assembly. Stay strong and work hard." He also added, "I have often heard about her feelings and stories as a mother raising a daughter. Fighting."
At the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee confirmation hearing the previous day, Kang Sunwoo apologized for the controversy regarding allegations of mistreatment of her aides, saying, "I am sorry for the controversy that arose because of me," and "I sincerely apologize to the aides who may have been hurt by this controversy."
However, she explained that allegations such as making her aides take out her household trash or fix a broken toilet were not true.
Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, arrived at the hearing preparation office set up in the IMA Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th of last month to prepare for the confirmation hearing and shared her thoughts with the press. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
In contrast, the opposition is raising calls for Kang Sunwoo to immediately withdraw her candidacy. Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party, expressed outrage, saying, "How can someone who has acted as a minion for those in power and harmed the vulnerable, thereby undermining human dignity, become the head of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family?" He continued, "The Democratic Party and the presidential office, who are defending Kang Sunwoo and engaging in secondary harm, should apologize to the public, and Kang Sunwoo, who is unqualified, should immediately step down."
Meanwhile, in an anonymous group chatroom of about 1,450 current and former aides to lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, a vote was held over three days starting July 11 regarding Kang Sunwoo's future. The results showed that 518 people (92.7%) supported her withdrawal, while only 41 people (7.3%) opposed it. The remaining 881 members did not participate in the vote.
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