Presidential Office: "He expressed his intention to apologize to the public through his resignation... President Lee accepted it"
Successor to be appointed from among conservative figures
Defended 'martial law' in book published as a professor... Mentioned on SNS, "I do not believe in forced labor mobilization"
Kang Junwook, Secretary for National Unity at the Presidential Office, has voluntarily resigned. As additional reports revealed past actions by Secretary Kang, who has been accused of defending the 12·3 Martial Law and expressing belief in the theory of colonial modernization, calls for his resignation and for the withdrawal of his appointment grew not only from opposition parties but also from within progressive circles. It appears that he decided to step down on his own in response to these demands.
On July 22, spokesperson Kang Yujeong held an emergency briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office and stated, "The Secretary for National Unity is a newly established position created to overcome crises through national unity and to end divisive politics. It reflects President Lee Jaemyung's commitment to national unity. Although the appointment was made based on the recommendation of a conservative figure in line with the president's intention to embrace even those who do not support him, there has been strong public opinion that this does not align with the administration's philosophy," she said, conveying these facts.
Spokesperson Kang further added, "Through his voluntary resignation, he has expressed his intention to sincerely apologize to the public for his mistakes, and President Lee has accepted this in order to respond to public demands," adding, "The successor will be selected from among conservative figures who embody the values of unity and understand the philosophy of the new administration."
This controversy originated from Kang's book "Barbaric Democracy," published in March while he was a professor at Dongguk University. In this book, he defined former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law as an undemocratic form of resistance against what he called the 'democratic tyranny' of the opposition. He specifically described it as a systematic action taken because he could no longer tolerate the abuses of the majority Democratic Party.
As time passed, further inappropriate actions came to light. Additional reports revealed a past post by Secretary Kang on his social networking service (SNS), in which he wrote, "I believe in the theory of colonial modernization and do not believe in forced labor mobilization by Japan." In the same post, he reportedly commented, "As with the comfort women issue, it is difficult to believe that people were indiscriminately taken off the streets, given the level of respect shown by the Japanese." Posts expressing strong hostility toward President Lee Jaemyung were also identified on his SNS.
As more of Secretary Kang's past actions were revealed, calls for his resignation began to emerge from both the ruling party and progressive circles. On July 22, National Assembly members Jung Cheongrae and Park Chandae, both candidates in the Democratic Party's leadership election (listed in order of ballot number), called for the voluntary resignation of Kang Junwook, Secretary for National Unity at the Presidential Office, over his controversial remarks defending martial law. Jung Cheongrae wrote on his Facebook page, "This is unacceptable. Do not bring disgrace to the president; make your own decision and resign." Park Chandae also stated, "Personnel appointments are the prerogative of the president. However, an 'advocate of insurrection' is unacceptable," adding, "There have been many inquiries about Secretary Kang. I deeply empathize with the concerns of the public." The previous day, criticism was also voiced by Democratic Party Supreme Council member Lee Eonju and lawmaker Shin Junghoon, among others.
There were also claims that this incident signals a serious breakdown in the personnel vetting system and that a complete overhaul is necessary. Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Justice Party, issued a statement saying, "This is a sign that the personnel vetting system of the Lee Jaemyung administration is seriously malfunctioning," adding, "Along with the dismissal of Secretary Kang, there is a need to comprehensively overhaul the personnel recommendation process and vetting system." Chun Hoseon, former Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Relations and a member of the Social Democratic Party, also pointed out on Facebook, "At this point, it's not a mistake but a breakdown."
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