Decision of Kang Sun-woo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, amid controversy of abuse of power over aides

Kang Sun-woo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, voluntarily resigned from her position on the 23rd after being embroiled in a controversy over the abuse of power over her aides.

On this day, Kang officially expressed her intention to resign through her Facebook.

Kang Sun-woo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family / News1

In her resignation statement, she said, "I apologize to the public who have been hurt because of me, and I feel that this is where it ends."

She also conveyed her heartfelt apologies to President Lee Jae-myung, stating, "I feel nothing but deep remorse for President Lee, who believed in me and gave me an opportunity."

The political burden stemming from the abuse of power controversy seems to have ultimately led to her resignation.

The political burden stemming from the abuse of power controversy seems to have ultimately led to her resignation.

Kang mentioned, "I have placed a heavy burden on our beloved Democratic Party, which stood with me in the rain," apologizing for the burden she caused her party as well.

Calls for her resignation from within the Democratic Party

Before Kang's decision to resign, Congressman Park Chan-dae, who ran in the Democratic Party leadership election, publicly urged Kang to step down.

In a post on his Facebook, Park stated, "As a fellow legislator and a comrade who has shared the nights of turmoil, it is painful, but someone must say it, so I am taking a stand. The nominee Kang must make a decision on her own."

Kang was embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that she had instructed her aides to perform household tasks, such as repairing a toilet and disposing of food waste, during the Minister's confirmation hearing.

Initially, Kang denied the allegations, stating, "I have never made my aides perform housework," but a transcript surfaced in which she instructed aides to "check the leaking toilet at home" and "take a box that I put in front of the entrance to the local office building."

Additionally, it was revealed that there were complaints regarding unpaid wages against Kang's office.

In response, Kang's side explained, "At that time, the nominee needed someone to drive her during her election campaign, so her spouse temporarily hired a domestic worker," and stated, "All agreed-upon wages were paid, but additional amounts were being demanded."

Image source: Kang Sun-woo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family / News1, Facebook 'Kang Sun-woo', Facebook 'Park Chan-dae'