Opposition: "'Gangro Nambul' Could Arise" vs Ruling Party: "No Need to Apologize" Fierce Debate Over Former FM Kang Kyung-hwa's Husband's US Trip

'Kang Kyung-hwa's Husband' Lee Il-byeong Went to the US on the 3rd to Purchase a Yacht
Kim Ki-hyun: "The Problem of Double Standards... Telling the Public Not to Return to Their Hometowns"
Park Beom-gye: "Not Kang Kyung-hwa's Official Responsibility"

Minister Kang Kyung-wha (right) and her husband, Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong of Yonsei University, attending the appointment ceremony of Minister Kang Kyung-wha at the Blue House in 2017.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Amid criticism over the fact that Lee Il-byeong, honorary professor at Yonsei University and husband of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, traveled abroad during the Chuseok holiday?when overseas travel was discouraged to prevent the spread of COVID-19?for the purpose of purchasing a yacht, lawmakers Kim Ki-hyun of the People Power Party and Park Beom-gye of the Democratic Party showed differing opinions on the matter.

On the 5th, Representative Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "From the standpoint of the Foreign Minister urging people to refrain from traveling, is it really in line with public sentiment for her husband to do such a thing?" He pointed out, "The core issue here is not the yacht but the problem of double standards."

He criticized, "There are already terms like 'naeronambul' (double standards), 'joronambul' (Jo-ro double standards), and 'churonambul' (Chu-ro double standards). Now, with rumors of Minister Cho's resignation, it's 'joronambul'; when Minister Chu Mi-ae resigned, it became 'churonambul'; and now it might even become 'Kang-ro-nambul'."

He added, "Ordinary citizens, powerless people, are told not to visit their parents' graves or greet elders in their hometowns. In cases where children live abroad and are supposed to get married, even though the wedding dates are set, parents cannot travel back and forth, so they are resorting to virtual weddings."

He continued, "Our people are complying with the government's strong enforcement guidelines and requests for restraint. But here, without any urgent reason, they are going abroad to buy yachts and take luxury trips. If we just dismiss this as a personal matter, the issues of privilege and unfairness inevitably arise."

Representative Kim emphasized that Minister Kang should take responsibility for this issue. He said, "If it were an ordinary citizen, there would be no problem, but isn't she a sitting minister? If the minister does not take responsibility, then who will?"

On the other hand, Representative Park, who appeared on the show together, argued that the controversy surrounding the honorary professor should not be linked to Minister Kang's responsibility. He said, "Minister Kang apologized. That should be enough. Ultimately, it was an unavoidable situation for her. From that perspective, attacking Minister Kang by connecting this to public responsibility is something I cannot accept."

He added, "Former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Min Kyung-wook went to the U.S. without attending his trial. If we extend personal responsibility to that, then the entire People Power Party should raise their hands and reflect. Representative Kim mentioned three types of double standards; if so, is this 'Min-ro-nambul'?"

However, Representative Park said, "The honorary professor cannot claim constitutional rights such as privacy or freedom of movement in this case," and added, "I think it is appropriate for him to be criticized from the public's perspective."

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