A Justice Party Without Justice? Kang Min-jin's 'Power Abuse Allegations' Scandal... Reexamining Sexual Harassment and Unfair Dismissal Controversies

Kang Min-jin Resigns Amid 'Gapjil Allegations'
Past Kim Jong-cheol Sexual Harassment Scandal and Ryu Ho-jeong Unfair Dismissal Controversy Resurface from Justice Party
Focused on Labor and Gender Issues but Faces Criticism as 'Justice Party Without Justice'

Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, resigned following revelations of 'gapjil' (abuse of power) by some party officials, reigniting past controversies such as former leader Kim Jong-chul's sexual misconduct scandal and Representative Ryu Ho-jeong's unfair dismissal dispute. As incidents contradicting progressive values repeatedly occur within the Justice Party, which advocates labor and women's issues, some critics have labeled it the "Justice Party without justice."

Kang, who faced allegations of workplace harassment, announced her resignation on the 15th. The day before (14th), some Youth Justice Party officials exposed in a Telegram group chat that Kang had abused her power over party staff. They alleged that she asked them to drive her car and assigned personal tasks, as well as gave work orders late at night. It was also reported that the actual working conditions differed from what Kang had promised during the hiring process, including the ability to work for over a year.

On November 25 last year, Shim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, and lawmakers attending the "Press Conference for the Start of the Justice Party's Final Sit-in for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act Within the Year" held in front of the National Assembly main building are shouting slogans. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response, Kang posted on her Facebook page the same day, stating, "For the fairness of the fact-finding investigation, I have decided that it is right for me to participate as an ordinary party member, the same status as former party officials, rather than as the Youth Justice Party leader." She added, "I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation, clarify what needs to be clarified, and reflect on what needs reflection."

Previously, the Justice Party was rocked by the sexual misconduct scandal involving former leader Kim and the unfair dismissal controversy surrounding Representative Ryu. In January last year, Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young revealed that she had been sexually harassed by former leader Kim. Kim acknowledged the allegations and resigned from his leadership position. The Justice Party promptly disclosed the incident, initiated disciplinary procedures, expelled Kim, and stripped him of party membership. Although the party was praised for its swift response, the leader's disgraceful resignation due to sexual misconduct dealt a severe political blow.

Before the shock subsided, allegations arose that Representative Ryu had unfairly dismissed a staff member. In January last year, a Justice Party member claimed that Ryu dismissed her executive secretary with only a week's notice instead of the usual notice period and did not guarantee rest breaks, violating labor laws. Ryu responded by explaining that parliamentary aides are not considered workers, so the dismissal was not unfair, which further fueled controversy.

As the Justice Party, which has sought differentiation through labor and gender sensitivity, repeatedly faces such issues, voices questioning the party's identity are growing louder. Coupled with former presidential candidate Sim Sang-jung's poor showing in the recent presidential election (2.37% of the vote), the Justice Party now stands at a crossroads regarding its survival.

Meanwhile, the Justice Party announced that it will hold an emergency joint meeting of the leadership and lawmakers to form a fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations against Kang Min-jin.

Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk posted on Facebook on the 16th, saying, "As party leader, I apologize to the victims who have been hurt and to the disappointed public." He added, "Regarding the workplace harassment allegations against Kang, the party has decided at an emergency leadership meeting to form a fact-finding committee chaired by Vice Leader Park In-sook."

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