Hong Ik-pyo: "It's Hard to Control My Own Children... Minister Kang Kyung-hwa Must Have Advised Her Husband"

"I do not consider issues like the minister's position to be matters of political strife"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 5th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Hong Ik-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and head of the party's think tank, the Democratic Research Institute, stated on the 6th regarding the departure of Kang Kyung-hwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and her husband, Yonsei University Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong, to the United States for the purpose of purchasing a yacht, that "this is not an issue to be politicized in terms of the minister's position."

On the same day, Hong appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "I think Minister Kang probably persuaded and tried to dissuade (Professor Lee) sufficiently, but there are parts that cannot be helped," adding, "These days, even my own children are difficult to control."

However, regarding Professor Lee's actions, he pointed out, "While it is somewhat understandable that, as a retired professor, he wants to live his own life, it was somewhat inappropriate as a family member of a public official."

He continued, "Not only Professor Lee but many families of high-ranking public officials are cautious about foreign cars or so-called luxury goods," emphasizing, "There may be some inconveniences in life, but once a family member becomes a public figure, it is a burden they must bear."

Hong Ik-pyo, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News

However, he added, "Many people misunderstand that the government banned overseas travel," and said, "The issue in this controversy may be that the trip abroad happened at this time, but I think the question is whether a yacht purchase and overseas travel were appropriate for a family member of a high-ranking public official."

Earlier, Professor Lee traveled to the United States during the Chuseok holiday, when recommendations to refrain from overseas travel were issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19, for the purpose of purchasing a yacht.

At that time, when Professor Lee was departing from Incheon International Airport to the United States and was asked by KBS reporters, "As a family member of a public official, doesn't this trip feel burdensome?" he replied, "I am living my life according to what I believe is right," adding, "I cannot live worrying about everything others think."

As the controversy grew, Minister Kang apologized at a press conference on the 4th, saying, "I feel sorry regardless of the circumstances that such an incident occurred while the public is refraining from overseas travel and other external activities."

However, regarding the possibility of Professor Lee's return, she explained, "Ultimately, he decided to leave on his own," and added, "(My husband) had planned this trip for a long time, and since it was a postponed trip, it is somewhat difficult to tell him to return."

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