After Yang Iwonyoung's "Attacks on Kang Sunwoo Are a Witch Hunt" Post Sparks Outcry from Aides, She Deletes Post and Apologizes

Yang Iwonyoung: "Questions for the Minister Should Be About Policy"
Aides Say, "Birds of a Feather Flock Together"... Post Deleted Amid Controversy
Moon Jinseok Claims, "Lawmakers and Aides Are Comrades"

As President Lee Jaemyung is reportedly set to push ahead with the appointment of Kang Sunwoo as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, some voices within the ruling party have come out in support of Kang. On July 22, Yang Iwonyoung, former member of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted on her social media that "the attacks on Kang are a witch hunt," but deleted the post after it sparked controversy.

Yang Iwonyoung, former member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Asia Economy

Yang argued that "it would be more appropriate to ask the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family questions such as 'How will you address the growing conflict between men and women?' and 'How will you realize the Lee Jaemyung administration's pledge to expand and reorganize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs?'"

Subsequently, a post seemingly targeting Yang appeared on the Facebook page "Yeouido Bamboo Grove," where only those who have verified their employment at the National Assembly can post. The author wrote, "The former lawmaker, who was rumored to be the top perpetrator of power abuse during the 21st National Assembly, has spoken up again," adding, "Birds of a feather flock together," directly criticizing both Yang and Kang.

Afterward, Yang deleted her original post and uploaded an explanation. She wrote, "I thought it was inappropriate to judge without properly watching the confirmation hearing or thoroughly examining the related controversy," and added, "I deleted the post because it may have seemed as if I was downplaying the allegations of power abuse against Kang."

She continued, "I also feel sorry about our office being referred to as the top perpetrator of power abuse among the 21st National Assembly offices," and expressed, "I extend my deepest apologies and sympathy to those who suffered while working in my office." She added, "I thought it was my duty to demand a strong sense of responsibility and mission with the mindset that 'an aide should meet a certain standard,' but I realize now that my shortcomings may have caused pain," and concluded, "Looking back after my term as a lawmaker, all I feel is regret, inadequacy, and remorse."

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

Previously, Moon Jinseok, deputy chief of floor operations for the Democratic Party, defended Kang in an interview on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show" on July 22, saying, "The nature of power abuse in a typical workplace is different from the relationship between aides and lawmakers," which sparked controversy. He argued, "It's very ambiguous to distinguish whether legislative activities are a lawmaker's personal business or public duty," and added, "Because the relationship is so close, there may be cases where lawmakers occasionally ask for personal errands without hesitation."

He also said, "Among aides, there are those who perform such tasks without complaint, and there are those who are dissatisfied," and added, "There are also aides who do not view it as a workplace but rather as a comradely relationship with the lawmaker."

In response, Lee Soyoung, a Democratic Party lawmaker, wrote on social media, "Today, a fellow lawmaker claimed that 'the nature of power abuse in a typical workplace is different from the relationship between lawmakers and aides,' but I do not agree," adding, "In both cases, it is essentially the same in that it is difficult for the subordinate to refuse the superior's request, and there is a hierarchy." Lee emphasized, "We must be wary of creating a discriminatory logic that 'we are the exception,'" and added, "Such arguments are not in line with the Democratic Party's emphasis on labor sensitivity."

Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader, also wrote on social media, "If you are true comrades, you should draw an even stricter line between public and private matters, and if you are like family, you should show even greater respect for personality and labor," and questioned, "Does being a lawmaker mean you have the privilege to use your aides for personal matters?"