[2022 National Audit] "Distorting New Zealand Ambassador's Remarks to Justify Abolishing Yeo-ga-bu"

Breaking 'Chatham House Rule' in Meeting with Embassies in Korea
Minister Kim Mentions Remarks and Speakers Twice in Interview
New Zealand Embassy Requests 'Refrain from Mentioning'
Kim Hyun-sook: "I Do Not Think It Was Distorted"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook has been criticized for violating the Chatham House Rule, which is directly related to diplomacy, by mentioning the remarks of the New Zealand ambassador to justify the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and furthermore, for distorting those remarks.

At the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee's audit of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on the 25th, Democratic Party lawmaker Han Junho pointed out, "Minister Kim Hyun-sook violated the 'Chatham House Rule,' which prohibits revealing the affiliation and identity of the person who provided information, during a luncheon meeting with ambassadors from five countries stationed in Korea. The meeting with the five ambassadors was held under the Chatham House Rule," adding, "She should apologize for violating the Chatham House Rule and distorting the ambassador's remarks in order to justify the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family."

Lawmaker Han said, "According to confirmation from the New Zealand Embassy, the ambassador's remarks were different, and the ambassador's side is uncomfortable," and added, "Upon confirmation through the New Zealand Embassy, the New Zealand ambassador stated, 'The role of the Ministry of Women, which operates as an independent ministry, is important. Leadership roles such as those of political leaders are important,' but Minister Kim distorted these remarks."

Minister Kim had previously stated in a media interview in July, "In the case of New Zealand, there is a single ministry dealing with gender equality, but the New Zealand ambassador said that whether it is a single ministry or not is not important; the will of the leader is much more important."

In response, Minister Kim said, "I was not aware of the Chatham House Rule and was told that it did not apply in this case."

Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family held a meeting with ambassadors from five countries to Korea near the Government Seoul Office on June 28. From the left, Ruslan Katz, Charg? d'Affaires of Canada to Korea; Alexandra Seedle, Charg? d'Affaires of Australia to Korea; Colin Crooks, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Korea; Philip Turner, Ambassador of New Zealand to Korea; Christopher Del Corso, Charg? d'Affaires of the United States to Korea. (Photo by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family)

Lawmaker Han pointed out, "She mentioned 'New Zealand ambassador' twice in the interview, and with various diplomatic incidents occurring under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, it is unacceptable for a minister to violate diplomatic rules like this."

Lawmaker Han criticized, "The New Zealand Embassy reportedly sent a request to Minister Kim to refrain from mentioning the ambassador's remarks, but the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family responded that it was 'an opinion delivery, not a request,' which means 'the issue is valid, but we ignored it.'"

Minister Kim responded, "I do not think I distorted the remarks. If the ambassador is uncomfortable, I think there are things to discuss," but also said, "I recall that the ambassador said leadership is important, not that the role of the New Zealand Ministry of Women is important."

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