Kang Jun-wook, the Presidential Office's Secretary of National Unity who defended the martial law imposed on Dec. 3 and the colonial modernization theory, expressed his intention to resign voluntarily on the 22nd, according to the Presidential Office. President Lee Jae-myung also immediately accepted this, and plans to look for a successor, primarily from the conservative camp. Meanwhile, regarding the allegations of aides' abuse of power and interference with employment surrounding Kang Seon-woo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, it was decided to request the re-submission of the personnel hearing report to the National Assembly on that day.
Kang Yoo-jung, the spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said at a briefing that "although recommended by a conservative figure following the President's strong will to embrace citizens who do not support him, strong public opinion indicated that it did not align with the governance philosophy and principles of a people's sovereignty government." She added, "Secretary Kang Jun-wook expressed his intention to resign voluntarily this morning, and the President aims to respond to public demands by accepting it."
Secretary Kang, who is a former professor at Dongguk University, was appointed on the 15th. The Secretary of National Unity is a position under the Senior Secretary for Listening and Integration, responsible for collecting public opinions from various sectors of society and promoting policies for integration. It is reported that he was recommended by Jeong Gyu-jae, a former chief editor of the Korea Economic Daily and a conservative journalist. The President recently discussed social integration opinions over lunch with former chief editor Jeong and conservative commentator Jo Gap-je.
Secretary Kang sparked controversy from the moment of his appointment due to his extreme right-wing historical views. In his book published in March this year, "Democracy of Barbarism," he defended the imposition of martial law by saying, "The act of branding the President's authority to declare martial law as rebellion is nothing more or less than public opinion manipulation framed as 'martial law=rebellion.'" He also previously wrote on social media, "I believe in colonial modernization theory and do not believe in forced recruitment," and "It is too respectable for Japanese people to consider that anyone was randomly taken as a comfort woman sexual slave on the street."
Following Secretary Kang, voices within the ruling party also raised concerns about the ineligibility of Secretary Kang. Meanwhile, on the same morning, lawmakers Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, both candidates for Democratic Party leadership, demanded the resignation of Kang Jun-wook, effectively indicating that the ruling party seeks to conclude the personnel controversy with Secretary Kang's resignation.
◇Former government minister also reveals 'budget abuse'… Presidential Office proceeds with 'enforcement'
As allegations of Secretary Kang's 'budget abuse' arose within the ruling coalition, backlash from the women's association has intensified. However, the Presidential Office has decided to proceed with Secretary Kang's appointment. Jeong Young-ae, the former Minister of Gender Equality and Family appointed during Moon Jae-in's administration, publicly shared anecdotes related to Secretary Kang on social media the day before. It was stated that Secretary Kang demanded a resolution to local grievances from the minister and retaliated by cutting the department's budget when this was not implemented.
According to the former minister, Secretary Kang requested participation from obstetricians and other professionals to establish a 'Sunflower Center' in her constituency (Gangseo Gap, Seoul). When the former minister and the Ewha Womans University Medical Center stated that "the hospital lacks obstetricians" and that cooperation would be difficult, Secretary Kang reportedly responded, "If you're asked to do something, just do it. Why is there so much talk?" and cut part of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's planning and coordination budget. It was only after the former minister apologized to the lawmakers that the budget was restored, she reported.
He stated, "It is ridiculous to send a lawmaker who cuts unrelated budgets for failing to resolve local grievances to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," and asked, "Please consider the true intention of hoping for the success of the fourth democratic government." Over 90 women's organizations, including the Korean Women's Organizations United, issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of Secretary Kang's nomination. However, the Presidential Office only said, "Today (22nd), a request for the re-submission of the personnel hearing report for Secretary Kang will go out."