"Husband, I'm Not Someone Who Can Be Stopped Just Because I Say So" Kang Kyung-wha's Response Sparks Laughter at National Assembly Hearing

Ahead of the Full-Scale National Audit, "I Feel Sorry Regardless of the Departure Circumstances" Preemptive Apology
"Still, 15,000 Citizens Depart for the US Monthly," Emphasized

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha listens to questions from lawmakers during the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke about her husband, Yonsei University Professor Emeritus Lee Il-byeong, who became embroiled in controversy over his trip to the United States, saying that he is "not someone who can be stopped."

On the afternoon of the 7th, during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' audit by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Kang responded to a question from Lee Tae-gyu of the People's Party, who asked, "Shouldn't you have requested your spouse to refrain from traveling abroad considering the circumstances?" by saying, "Since this is a personal matter, it's hard to say, but he is not someone who would be stopped just because I tell him to." Laughter broke out in the audit hall following Kang's response.

Before the main audit began, Minister Kang apologized for the controversy surrounding Professor Emeritus Lee. On that day, she stated, "I feel very sorry to the public regardless of the circumstances of my husband's overseas departure, especially as the people are refraining from overseas travel and external activities due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

However, she emphasized, "Although a special travel advisory has been issued for several months, we have made great efforts to keep travel routes open to the United States so that our citizens can travel without inconvenience," adding, "Even when confirmed COVID-19 cases surged in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, we tried to keep the travel route to the U.S. open."

She continued, "Although the number of travelers has decreased to an incomparable extent compared to the past, still about 15,000 of our citizens travel to the United States every month," and added, "I once again sincerely apologize for causing controversy."

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

Meanwhile, Professor Emeritus Lee, the husband of Minister Kang, sparked controversy after traveling to the United States on the 3rd for the purpose of purchasing a yacht. Since March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended refraining from overseas travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

When Professor Emeritus Lee was departing for the U.S. through Incheon International Airport, he was asked by KBS reporters in an interview, "As a family member of a public official, don't you feel burdened by the trip?" He replied, "If I were doing something wrong, it would be burdensome, but I am living my life doing what I believe is right," adding, "Should I give that up because of what others think? You can't live your life always worrying about what others think."

As the controversy grew, Minister Kang expressed her apology at a press conference the following day (the 4th). She bowed her head and said, "I feel sorry regardless of the circumstances as this happened while the public is refraining from overseas travel and external activities."

Regarding the possibility of Professor Emeritus Lee returning to Korea, she explained, "Ultimately, it was his own decision to leave," and added, "He had planned this trip for a long time and postponed it, so it is a bit difficult to tell him to return."

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