Kang Sunwoo, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Nominee, Voluntarily Withdraws
Worsening Public Opinion Appears to Have Become a Burden on the Administration
Kang Says, "Sorry to the President, a Great Burden to the Democratic Party"
Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family who was embroiled in allegations of abusing her aides, voluntarily withdrew her nomination on July 23. This marks the first time in 25 years since the introduction of the confirmation hearing system that a sitting member of the National Assembly has failed to assume a ministerial post. President Lee Jaemyung, who held the authority to appoint, had planned to push ahead with her appointment, even requesting the National Assembly to resend the confirmation hearing report. However, as public opinion continued to deteriorate, it is interpreted that Kang decided to step down on her own to alleviate the burden on the administration.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoojeong stated during a briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan that "Nominee Kang conveyed her intention to voluntarily resign to Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik at 2:30 p.m. today," adding, "The Chief of Staff relayed this to President Lee." According to spokesperson Kang, President Lee did not make any particular comments upon receiving the report from Chief of Staff Kang.
This decision to voluntarily resign was made amid public opinion that Kang was becoming a burden to the administration. Around 4 p.m. that day, Kang expressed via her social networking service (SNS), "I feel nothing but endless remorse toward President Lee Jaemyung, who trusted me and gave me this opportunity," and added, "I have also placed a great burden on our beloved Democratic Party, who stood with me in the rain."
The presidential office and the ruling party had maintained their stance to appoint Kang as minister. Even when the nomination of Education Minister nominee Lee Jinsook was withdrawn on July 20, the presidential office decided to press ahead with Kang's appointment. The deadline for requesting the National Assembly to resend the confirmation hearing report was also drastically shortened from the legally stipulated ten days to just two days. Kim Byungki, acting party leader and floor leader, was also reportedly firm in his support for her appointment.
However, as further allegations against Kang emerged, public sentiment did not subside. On July 21, a Realmeter poll commissioned by Energy Economy News revealed for the first time that the approval rating for President Lee's performance had declined. On the same day, additional criticism surfaced that Kang, while serving as a professor before becoming a lawmaker, had missed five weeks of classes without permission.
Ruling camp sentiment shifts as even presidential approval rating drops
As a result, calls for Kang's voluntary resignation also emerged from within the broader ruling camp. Civil society groups, including People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and 27 women’s organizations, demanded her resignation, while the Justice Party, Progressive Party, and Green Party held a press conference in front of the presidential office calling for her to step down. On the same day, Park Chandae, a Democratic Party lawmaker running for party leader, also urged her resignation via SNS, saying, "It's painful, but someone has to speak up," and, "For the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, a difficult decision must be made."
The opposition, which had consistently called for Kang's resignation, welcomed the decision. Song Eonseok, floor leader and acting emergency committee chair of the People Power Party, told reporters in front of the plenary chamber, "Kang was not even qualified to appear at the hearing," adding, "Although it is late, we acknowledge her voluntary resignation, and we must ensure that the personnel verification system is corrected so that such personnel disasters do not recur in the Lee Jaemyung administration."
The presidential office stated that it would swiftly find the next nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family and review the personnel verification system. In response to questions about possible flaws in the vetting process, spokesperson Kang said, "We are conducting the procedures meticulously and rigorously," but added, "There are areas we need to examine further to ensure we find candidates and appointees who meet the public's expectations through a variety of methods." She continued, "We will strive to be both swift and thorough so that we can approach this matter prudently, in line with public opinion."
Meanwhile, Kang also expressed on SNS, "I feel nothing but endless remorse toward President Lee Jaemyung, who trusted me and gave me this opportunity." She added, "Though I am lacking in many ways, I truly wanted to give my all and do my best," expressing her regret.
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