Kang Kyung-hwa's "Can't Apologize" Remark... Citizens Criticize, "Is This How You Raise National Dignity?"

Kang Kyung-hwa "Apologizing to Other Countries Is a Matter of National Dignity"
Civilians "Turning a Blind Eye to Our Side... Not Admitting Fault" 'Criticism'
Experts "Need Concrete Measures to Prevent Recurrence"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is speaking at a press conference held on the morning of the 2nd at the Government Seoul Office Annex for domestic reporters./Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha officially apologized on the 24th regarding the sexual harassment incident involving a Korean diplomat and local staff in New Zealand, but drew a line by stating that the apology was not directed at New Zealand or the victim, causing a stir.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized for its passive attitude in handling this incident, which led to an "international embarrassment," is expected to face further controversy due to Minister Kang's remarks. Some have pointed out that this reflects a low level of awareness and sensitivity toward sexual crimes across society.

Experts have warned that this incident could damage national prestige and emphasized the need for concrete countermeasures and proactive steps to prevent recurrence of crimes by high-ranking officials and to protect victims from secondary harm.

Earlier, Minister Kang bowed her head during a virtual meeting of department heads on the 24th, saying, "The sexual misconduct incident that occurred at the New Zealand Embassy at the end of 2017 was raised during the Korea-New Zealand leaders' phone call on the 28th of last month, causing diplomatic burdens for our government and concern among the public." She also officially acknowledged problems in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' response process regarding this incident.

However, on the 25th, when appearing before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Minister Kang drew a line by stating that she "cannot apologize" to New Zealand or the victim.

When Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, demanded an apology to the New Zealand people and the victim, Minister Kang stated firmly, "Apologizing to the people is clearly to address their discomfort, but apologizing to another country in international relations is a different matter."

She continued, "New Zealand bears significant responsibility for turning an issue that should not have become one into a topic. Apologizing to another country is truly a matter of a different dimension," and emphasized, "We are trying to take responsibility, but for a foreign minister to apologize to another country is a matter of national dignity."

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the Blue House on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

As this fact became known, citizens raised their voices in criticism, asking, "How does not apologizing to the victim enhance national dignity?"

In comments on related articles, one netizen criticized, "How can saying confidently that you cannot apologize to the victim, who should be the first to receive an apology, be a way to enhance national dignity?" and added, "In the end, it showed an attitude of ignoring the denial within our own side and never admitting fault to the victim."

Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also criticized for its lukewarm response in handling this incident. Although the incident occurred at the New Zealand Embassy in November 2017, it only became known domestically about three years later, raising suspicions that the Ministry had concealed it without disclosure.

Additionally, in 2019, the Ministry conducted an internal investigation and imposed a mild disciplinary action of a one-month salary reduction on the perpetrator diplomat A, drawing criticism for leniency in punishing sexual crime offenders.

Minister Kang had announced a "zero tolerance policy" for sexual misconduct shortly after taking office in 2017, but even after this incident occurred, the Ministry allowed A to serve as Consul General at the Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

Despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introducing a "zero tolerance policy" on sexual misconduct, the policy has not been upheld and has rather been neglected, leading to criticism of a severe lack of awareness regarding sexual crimes.

NewsHub broadcast footage related to the sexual harassment case of local staff by Korean diplomat Mr. A in New Zealand./Photo by NewsHub

Meanwhile, a civic group reportedly filed a complaint with the prosecution against the perpetrator diplomat A and Minister Kang.

The People's Livelihood Countermeasure Committee, a civic group, stated in the complaint submitted on the 3rd, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is treating the sexual harassment incident as a personal issue, which deceives the public and insults the president," and demanded "swift and fair legal application against A, who severely damaged the nation's honor by committing sexual harassment."

Regarding Minister Kang, the group said, "Despite the incident escalating into a diplomatic issue, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern mentioning A during a call with President Moon Jae-in, Minister Kang dismissed it as a personal matter and overlooked it," and added, "This constitutes dereliction of duty by failing to fulfill managerial responsibilities."

Experts emphasized the need for concrete countermeasures and proactive steps to prevent recurrence and secondary harm.

Attorney Lee Eun-ui (Lee Eun-ui Law Office) said, "The public wants specific answers not about apologies, but about how to respond and handle such incidents in the future, and what measures will be taken to prevent recurrence," and criticized, "However, there has been no response on these aspects at all."

She added, "The public inevitably wonders what would have happened if this incident had not been revealed through media reports," and stressed, "There is a need for a clear manual on how to handle such incidents in the future and proactive measures to prevent recurrence."

Attorney Lee particularly pointed out, "Some have made remarks showing low understanding of the other country, citing cultural differences, which are out of step with global trends and could damage national prestige," and emphasized, "Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extensive exchanges with other countries, it must make greater efforts to understand cultural differences and respond more sensitively."

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) announced on the 18th that it recently decided to "accept" the complaint filed by the New Zealand male victim who was sexually harassed. Acceptance means that the complaint is acknowledged and remedial measures such as recommendations or opinions are issued.

The NHRCK plans to send a decision document containing specific recommendations to the victim, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and A by the end of this month. The document is expected to include recommendations for the Ministry to establish substantial sexual crime prevention measures, correct inappropriate actions such as neglecting sexual crime victims, and implement remedial measures for the victim.

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