Kang Junwook Resigns Voluntarily... Presidential Office Moves Forward with Appointment of Kang Sunwoo

Kang Junwook, Secretary for National Integration, Resigns Amid Controversy Over Martial Law Remarks
Presidential Office to Request Resubmission of Personnel Hearing Report for Kang Sunwoo

Kang Junwook, Secretary for National Integration at the Presidential Office, has voluntarily resigned. The Presidential Office has also decided to request a resubmission of the personnel hearing report for Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

On July 22, Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, held an emergency briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office and explained, "In line with the President's intention to broadly embrace even those citizens who do not support him, Kang Junwook was appointed upon the recommendation of a conservative figure. However, there has been strong public opinion that he does not align with the government's philosophy."

Spokesperson Kang 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. The successor will be appointed from among conservative figures who understand the philosophy of the new administration and embody the value of integration."

This controversy originated from the content of "Democracy of Barbarism," a book published by Secretary Kang 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 described as the democratic tyranny of the opposition party. Further controversy arose from a past post on Kang's social media, in which he wrote, "I believe in the theory of colonial modernization and do not believe in forced conscription by Japan."

Regarding the controversy surrounding Secretary Kang, lawmakers Jung Cheongrae and Park Chandae, both candidates in the Democratic Party's leadership election (listed in order of ballot number), also joined calls for his resignation. On his Facebook page, Jung wrote, "This is unacceptable. Do not bring disgrace to the President and make your own decision. Resign." Park also stated, "Personnel appointments are the President's prerogative. However, an 'advocate of insurrection' is unacceptable." Kwon Youngguk, leader of the Justice Party, issued a statement saying, "Along with the dismissal of Secretary Kang, there is a need to completely overhaul the personnel recommendation and vetting system."

Yonhap News

Meanwhile, as the Presidential Office has announced its intention to request a resubmission of the personnel hearing report for nominee Kang, it appears that the appointment process for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family will proceed as planned.