"Kang Kyung-hwa's Husband, Just the Husband of a Public Official... Wants to Comfort Minister Kang"

Park Won-seok "Travel advisory is only a recommendation, not illegal or unlawful"

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 5th, Park Won-seok, Policy Committee Chair of the Justice Party, commented on the controversy surrounding Professor Il-byeong Lee, honorary professor at Yonsei University and spouse of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, traveling to the United States, stating, "Professor Lee is not a public figure. Therefore, I believe he cannot be held to the same standards of conduct expected of public figures."

On the same day, appearing on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning,' Park said, "Professor Lee is only the spouse of a public official. Also, no status or privilege associated with being the spouse of Minister Kang was exercised in his travel to the U.S.," emphasizing this point.

He added, "Moreover, since this is an administrative advisory recommending restraint, not a mandatory order, violating the advisory does not constitute illegality or unlawfulness," and said, "Citizens can travel abroad. However, from the perspective of COVID-19 prevention, everyone is exercising restraint, and the government is also recommending such restraint."

However, Park noted, "Despite this, the public criticism is inevitable because the fundamental basis for the effective global COVID-19 response is the remarkable patience and self-restraint of the people," and explained, "How many people now want to travel abroad? Not only for travel but also for family weddings or household matters, people are refraining from going abroad. In this context, the public is very critical and regretful about the decision made by the spouse of the Foreign Minister, the responsible ministry."

Regarding Professor Lee's response to reporters before his departure on the 3rd, when asked if he felt burdened as a family member of a public official, saying, "I live my own life; should I make concessions?" Park expressed, "I want to offer my condolences to Minister Kang Kyung-hwa."

Park interpreted, "The decision was not made suddenly, nor was the departure abrupt. Even if it burdens the spouse's public duties, he cannot give up his personal life. He seems to be a person with a strong individuality and a 'my way' spirit."

Amid recommendations to refrain from overseas travel to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, controversy has arisen as Ilbyung Lee, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University and spouse of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, proceeded with travel. Photo by KBS News footage

Regarding Minister Kang's statement on the controversy, saying, 'I am sorry, but it is difficult to ask my husband to return,' Park said, "I wish there had been a bit more consideration for the spouse who is performing public duties," but added, "I do not think it is appropriate to discuss Minister Kang's position or take this matter to that level."

He continued, "If the roles were reversed, that is, if the husband were the minister, could the minister's spouse have made such a choice? From that perspective, I feel somewhat regretful that invisible patriarchal or gender differences in Korean society are still evident in this matter."

Meanwhile, Professor Lee, the husband of Minister Kang, departed for the U.S. on the 3rd to purchase a yacht and for leisure activities. He had publicly shared on his blog for months his plans to buy a yacht in the U.S. and visit the U.S. coast and the Caribbean by yacht.

When asked by KBS reporters at the airport about the purpose of his trip, Professor Lee said, "It's just a trip. A free trip," and added, "COVID-19 will not disappear in a day or two. So, I can't just stay at home all the time."

As the controversy over Professor Lee's overseas departure intensified, Minister Kang said at a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials on the afternoon of the 4th, "I feel sorry for this incident happening while the public is refraining from overseas travel and other external activities."

She added, "He (my husband) is well aware of the situation, and I have explained it, but ultimately, he made the decision to leave, and I feel sorry about it."

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