Controversy Over Kang Kyung-hwa's Husband... Yoon Gun-young Says "Should Not Be Used as a Political Attack Tool"

Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her husband, Professor Lee Il-byeong. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Amid controversy over Professor Il-byeong Lee, honorary professor at Yonsei University and husband of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, traveling to the United States for the purpose of purchasing a yacht, Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 6th, "It no longer seems appropriate to use this as a political attack tool."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, Representative Yoon said, "It is regrettable that (Professor Lee) did not follow the government's recommendation to refrain from overseas travel."

He added, "Minister Kang sincerely expressed her apologies to the public regarding the family matter," and continued, "Regarding whether there was any 'illegal activity, privilege, or unfair advantage' in Professor Lee's trip to the U.S., the travel advisory was merely a recommendation, not an illegal act or privilege."

He further stated, "The opposition party is even discussing personnel issues based on Minister Kang's spouse's matter," and said, "I think it is somewhat unreasonable to link the conduct of a minister's spouse to the minister's work ability or qualifications."

However, the People Power Party appears to believe that, as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Kang should take the controversy surrounding Professor Lee seriously.

Seong Il-jong, an emergency committee member of the People Power Party, criticized at the emergency committee meeting on the 5th, "Following the case of Private Seo, son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, the husband of Minister Kang is causing public outrage," and added, "Now, even the COVID-19 quarantine measures are being criticized as hypocritical, 'Corona hypocrisy,' and the public is angry."

Additionally, Lee Tae-gyu, a Supreme Council member of the People's Party, also criticized, saying, "What would the public think when they see the husband of a country's foreign affairs chief, who is also an honorary professor at a prestigious university, traveling abroad during this situation?" He continued, "With a level of civic awareness and moral standards far below that of ordinary citizens, how can he act as a family member of a high-ranking public official and have the face to teach students?"

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