"Democratic Party Lawmakers Console Kang Sunwoo, Calling Her a Comrade... Opposition Demands Resignation as Lawmaker"

Wave of Consolation from Jung Cheongrae, Park Jiweon, and Others
Jung Cheongrae and Park Chandae Express Diverging Views
Some Argue, "Difference Between 'Myungsim' and 'Dangsim'"
People Power Party: "She Must Also Be Stripped of Her Parliamentary Seat"
Reform Party: "A Natural Outcome, President Lee Must Apologize"

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

On July 24, members of the Democratic Party of Korea sent messages of consolation to Kang Sunwoo, the former Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee, who voluntarily resigned. Representative Kang Sunwoo announced her intention to step down the previous day after facing mounting calls for her resignation due to allegations of mistreatment of aides.

Jung Cheongrae, a Democratic Party lawmaker running in the party's leadership election, sent a message of support to Representative Kang, saying, "Comrades win together and lose together. If it rains, we get wet together," and added, "I offer my personal sympathy to Kang Sunwoo as a person. I also offer consolation to the party members and supporters whose hearts have been wounded."

Meanwhile, Park Chandae, another candidate in the Democratic Party leadership race and a competitor of Jung Cheongrae, expressed a different view. On his Facebook page, Park wrote, "As a fellow lawmaker and comrade, my heart aches, but someone must speak up, so I am stepping forward," and added, "For the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, we must make difficult and painful decisions. Kang Sunwoo must make her own decision," thereby calling for Kang Sunwoo's voluntary resignation.

Choi Minhee, another Democratic Party lawmaker, also conveyed her sympathy via social media, saying, "To Representative Kang Sunwoo, I share what I have learned during eight years of struggle outside the National Assembly," and added, "Life truly is a series of ups and downs."

Park Jiweon, another Democratic Party lawmaker, also posted on social media immediately after Kang's resignation as nominee, stating, "DJ said that in politics and in life, trials will come, but do not despair; instead, use them as opportunities for reflection and progress," and added, "Representative Kang Sunwoo, stay strong. We are here for you," offering encouragement to Kang.

However, opposition parties argued that Kang's voluntary resignation was only natural and insisted that she should be referred to the Ethics Committee and resign from her seat as a lawmaker as well. In the afternoon, Yoo Sangbeom, the People Power Party’s chief deputy floor leader, and others submitted a "request for disciplinary action against Representative Kang Sunwoo" to the National Assembly’s main office. Speaking to reporters, they stated, "The conduct Representative Kang displayed was inappropriate not only as a lawmaker but also as a person," explaining the reason for submitting the disciplinary request.

They further emphasized, "She essentially treated her aides like servants, which enraged the entire nation," and added, "We hope that in the future, lawmakers will respect their aides and the people, fulfill their roles as public servants, and that the National Assembly will be recognized for lawmakers who faithfully carry out their duties."

The Reform Party also stated, "Although belated, this was the only natural outcome," and demanded an apology from President Lee Jaemyung for failing in personnel vetting. Lee Donghun, chief spokesperson for the Reform Party, said in a commentary the previous day, "The public’s anger is not simply an issue with Kang Sunwoo as an individual," and pointed out, "The failure of vetting, questions of morality, and the arrogant refusal to step down are all part of the overall failure of the Lee Jaemyung administration’s personnel system."

He added, "President Lee must now make things clear. He should acknowledge the personnel failure and formally apologize to the public," and emphasized, "Furthermore, in the process of appointing a successor, he must ensure thorough vetting so that this does not happen again, and overhaul the entire personnel system."