Kang Kyung-hwa Avoids Reporters on Commute... Condolence Schedule Also Kept Private

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young]As Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha faces growing controversy over her husband's trip to the United States for the purpose of purchasing a yacht, she is clearly reluctant to be exposed to the public.

On the morning of the day, around 8 a.m., Minister Kang arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and instead of using the usual second-floor lobby, she moved to her office through the underground parking lot.

This move appears to be conscious of the press waiting in the second-floor lobby to hear her position at the time of her arrival.

A source said, "(Minister Kang) expressed an apology to the media yesterday, but it seems she felt burdened by media exposure when coming to work today." On the previous day’s way home, Minister Kang met with reporters and said, "I am sorry," adding, "(My husband) had planned and postponed this for a long time, so it is difficult to tell him to return."

The minister’s schedule for the afternoon, originally announced as public, was changed to private. Minister Kang was scheduled to visit the Kuwaiti Embassy in Korea to express condolences for the recently deceased Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait.

The Kuwaiti Embassy initially informed the media that external figures, including Minister Kang, would participate in the condolence visit, but suddenly changed it to a private event citing "visitor safety due to COVID-19." There is speculation that the embassy may have coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to change the stance on public disclosure.

Minister Kang is reportedly focusing on preparing for the upcoming National Assembly audit scheduled for the 7th without making any further statements regarding the controversy over her husband’s overseas trip. During this audit, criticism is expected to be directed at Minister Kang’s husband for traveling to the United States for a yacht trip despite the government’s recommendation to refrain from overseas travel due to COVID-19, which is seen as inappropriate conduct.

Meanwhile, Kang’s husband, Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong of Yonsei University, made his blog private early that morning. As of 10 a.m. that day, accessing his blog shows a notice stating, "This blog is only open to invited readers." Professor Lee, who departed for the United States on the 3rd, had previously disclosed on his blog plans to purchase a yacht in the U.S. and visit the U.S. coast and the Caribbean by yacht.

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