Moon Jinseok of the Democratic Party Actively Defends Kang Sunwoo
Song Eonseok: "Justifying Power Abuse... Shocking"
Lee Jaemyung Moves Forward with Appointment... "Must Be Withdrawn Immediately"
Song Eonseok, interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for defending Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who has been embroiled in controversy over alleged mistreatment of aides. He stated, "The Democratic Party must immediately stop this insulting behavior of sacrificing all 2,700 parliamentary aides just to protect one nominee, Kang Sunwoo."
Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is responding to questions from committee members at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 22, through a post on Facebook, Song said, "Moon Jinseok, the Democratic Party's chief deputy floor leader, appeared on the radio this morning and described the relationship between lawmakers and their aides as 'more like comrades or family members than a typical workplace,' thereby justifying the practice of ordering aides to run personal errands." He added, "This is unacceptable."
Earlier that morning, Moon appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' and, regarding the allegations of Kang's mistreatment of aides, argued, "The nature of power abuse in a typical workplace is somewhat different from that in the relationship between aides and lawmakers," defending Kang.
Song further stated, "What is even more shocking is that Moon introduced, almost as if it were a positive story, that there are aides who voluntarily run errands without complaint. If they are truly 'comrades,' then the distinction between public and private matters should be even more strictly observed. If they are 'family,' then their dignity and labor should be respected even more."
He continued, "Does being a lawmaker mean you have the privilege to use your aides for personal matters? The attitude of lawmakers demanding 'personal loyalty' from aides or glorifying personal errands as 'voluntary' is, in itself, a violation of democracy."
Song claimed, "Such remarks from the ruling party are happening because President Lee Jaemyung has not clearly stated his position on the controversy over Kang Sunwoo's alleged mistreatment of aides." He demanded, "Instead of just asking the public to 'understand,' the Democratic Party must clearly state its position on Kang's controversy."
He added, "Pushing ahead with Kang's appointment amid additional revelations from former ministers of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is a direct challenge to public expectations. President Lee and the Democratic Party must listen to the voices of the people and the cries of the aides, and immediately withdraw Kang's nomination."
Song also urged Kang to voluntarily step down, telling reporters during a flood recovery volunteer activity with party lawmakers in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, that "Kang Sunwoo needs to make her own decision regarding her position."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
