Gominjeong Faces Controversy Over 'Husband as Lecturer' at Resident Special Lecture... "Will Exclude If Uncomfortable"

Gominjeong Opens 'High Class'
Controversy Over Inviting Husband Poet Jo Gi-yeong as Lecturer for Resident Special Lecture

Ko Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a greeting at the full meeting of the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 16th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] When controversy arose over Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung recruiting her husband, poet Jo Ki-young, as a lecturer for a special lecture aimed at residents, she stated on the 27th, "If there are people who feel uncomfortable, I will exclude him from the lecturers."

On the same day, Go posted on her Facebook, "Jo Ki-young was scheduled to give a lecture to residents about poetry and the world as a poet before being my husband," she said.

She added that her husband Jo was recruited as a lecturer because he is someone who best understands and personally practices gender equality and the importance of childcare. Go explained, "I wanted to share the voluntary childcare experience of a father who proudly chose childcare while reducing his own work for his working wife."

Regarding the controversy over the operation of 'Go Class,' she explained, "If the lecture is conducted for free, it would be considered 'providing money or goods,' which violates election laws," and added, "We obtained prior approval from the Election Commission regarding the operation."

She continued, "Nevertheless, if there are people who feel uncomfortable, I will exclude him from the lecturers," and said, "Sadly, that is also the Republic of Korea today that I must accept."

Earlier, Go announced through her Facebook and official blog that she would "recruit 6 additional students for the regular lectures of 'Go Min-jung's 高 (Go) Class' starting August 5th."

The lectures include 10 lecturers from various fields such as politics, culture, and society, including poet Jo, Go's husband. The tuition fee is 25,000 won per session, and if 10 sessions are paid for at once, a 50,000 won discount is applied, allowing attendance for 200,000 won. Go's side added that the fee was set based on actual costs because free lectures are not allowed under election law.

Other lecturers besides poet Jo include travel writer Son Mina, National Assembly member Oh Young-hwan, historian Jeon Woo-yong, and singer Harim. The lectures were planned to be held face-to-face at Go's office in Gwangjin-gu, and it was noted that seats are limited due to compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.