[Summary] "They even stopped us from going home for Chuseok, absurd" Citizens outraged over Kang Kyung-wha's husband's US trip

Kang Kyung-hwa "Sorry, but it's difficult to ask my husband to return"
People Power Party "Citizens can't even visit ancestral graves during Chuseok due to overseas travel restrictions"
Kang Kyung-hwa's husband travels to the US, ruling party also criticizes... "Inappropriate behavior"
Citizens "Can we also go abroad for leisure?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Controversy continues over Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's spouse's trip to the United States for the purpose of purchasing a yacht. The opposition party launched a fierce attack, asking, "Did the foreign minister grant special overseas travel permission only to her family?"

Even within the ruling party, this matter is seen as inappropriate. Meanwhile, Minister Kang expressed regret over the controversy surrounding her husband's visit to the U.S., but stated that it is difficult to request his return, leading to criticism that her response does not align with public sentiment.

On the afternoon of the 4th, Minister Kang, while leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, told reporters, "I am sorry." When asked if she planned to request her husband's return, she replied, "(He) had planned and postponed it for a long time, so it is difficult to tell him to come back."

Minister Kang also explained that she was aware of the travel plans in advance and tried to persuade him. She reiterated, "He is well aware of the situation, and I explained it to him, but ultimately he decided to leave, and I feel sorry about it."

The spouse of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is responding about their purpose of overseas travel. Photo by KBS News Capture

Earlier, on the 3rd, Kang's husband, Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong of Yonsei University, departed for the United States. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been advising the public to refrain from unnecessary travel due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it has been reported that the minister's spouse traveled abroad for the purpose of purchasing a yacht and leisure, drawing criticism for inappropriate conduct.

The opposition party immediately criticized, calling it "absurd and outrageous." Choi Hyung-doo, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a verbal statement that morning, "The public refrained from urgent overseas travel and even could not visit ancestral graves during Chuseok in accordance with the government's travel restraint recommendations," adding, "Yet the foreign minister's husband, from the government’s main department, travels abroad at will. Is this a civilized country?"

He continued, "During the Chuseok holiday, the public was despairing over the unprecedented 'three strikes' in the country: the president remained silent for 47 hours despite citizens being shot and bodies desecrated; the justice minister lied 27 times in the National Assembly after his aide requested leave for his son, then turned aggressive with lawsuits; and now the foreign minister granted special overseas travel permission only to her family," he pointed out.

He added, "In this unprecedented country, our citizens are spending a Chuseok they will never experience again," and said, "The government brings only despair and anger, not consolation to the people. The public is asking, is this a country?"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who expressed regret over the controversy surrounding her husband's trip to the United States, saying "The public is refraining from overseas travel," is seen closing her eyes as she listens to reporters' questions while leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on the evening of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Criticism is also coming from the ruling party. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said after a field meeting on COVID-19 care vulnerabilities at the Tokkidong Study Room in Mapo-gu, Seoul, when asked about the foreign minister's spouse's travel, "I think it was inappropriate from the public's perspective."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at a press briefing, "Because it involves a high-ranking public official and the family of the foreign minister who issued travel restraint recommendations, it is considered an inappropriate act."

Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a comment, "(The foreign minister's husband's overseas travel) is clearly inappropriate conduct and does not meet the public's expectations," expressing regret for disappointing many citizens who could not return home for the holidays due to the actions of a cabinet member's spouse.

Citizens are also voicing criticism. A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. Lee, said, "In a difficult and challenging situation due to COVID-19, going abroad to purchase a yacht?who can sympathize with that?" He added, "Also, saying that a return request cannot be made?does that mean the public can just go abroad and have fun?"

Another office worker in his 40s, Mr. Kim, said, "The government urged people to refrain from visiting their hometowns, yet a government official went abroad for leisure," raising his voice, "Putting politics aside, from the public's perspective, this is simply absurd and incomprehensible."

Meanwhile, before departure, Professor Emeritus Lee disclosed on his blog that he planned to purchase a yacht in the U.S. and sail to the Caribbean Sea.

He stated, "The owner of the New York aluminum boat 'Cutter 51' in Europe replied. We will meet on October 3," revealing his sailing preparation plans.

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