Yoo Simin Defends Kang Sunwoo: "Dismissed Aides Claim Abuse Anonymously After Poor Performance"

"Failed to Properly Assemble Initial Aides, Leading to Replacements," Yoo Simin Claims
Yoo Simin: "When I Was a Nominee, 65% Considered Me Unfit"

Writer Yoo Simin commented on the controversy surrounding alleged abuse of power by Kang Sunwoo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, toward her aides, stating, "One or two people caused trouble and were not good at their jobs, so they were dismissed. Then, hiding behind anonymity, they made it seem as if Kang was abusing her power." On the 10th, Yoo posted a video on his YouTube channel, 'Yoo Simin Naksia Academy,' where he began by saying, "The situation regarding Kang Sunwoo really makes no sense."

Writer Yoo Simin. Photo by Heo Younghan

He continued, "As far as I can guess, Jung Bongju was preparing for the election in Geumtaeseop's constituency but quit. Kang Sunwoo suddenly jumped in and snatched the nomination without any local ties." He added, "During the primary process, she must have received help from anyone and everyone. Then, after suddenly becoming a National Assembly member, she put together a disorganized team of aides. That's why there were so many replacements at first." Yoo further explained, "One or two of them caused incidents and were not good at their jobs, so they were let go. Hiding behind anonymity, they made it look like abuse of power." He also said, "If current or former aides give interviews saying this isn't true, the media won't publish those stories."

Hwang Kyoik, a 'food columnist' who appeared alongside Yoo, responded, "There are many positive stories about Kang, but those never make it into the news." When Hwang remarked, "Even so, Kang does not respond strongly," Yoo added, "That's the right approach." In addition, Yoo recalled that when he was nominated as Minister of Health and Welfare during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, public opinion against his appointment reached 65%. Nevertheless, he said, "I wanted to work with the authority to do the job, so I bowed my head." After becoming minister, he assessed, "I worked hard. I did a lot of work."

On the 14th of last month, Kang Sunwoo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, attended the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Previously, Kang Sunwoo, who was nominated as the first Minister of Gender Equality and Family in the Lee Jaemyung administration, withdrew her nomination after facing allegations of abuse of power toward her aides and controversy over false explanations during the confirmation process. Facing pressure to resign not only from the opposition but also from some within her own party and pro-government civil society, Kang announced her voluntary resignation on the 23rd of last month, stating, "I apologize to the people who were hurt because of me. I wanted to do my best and put everything into this, but it seems this is as far as I could go."