Minister Kang Sun-woo, the nominee for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (left), and Minister Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for the Ministry of Education./Courtesy of Yonhap News

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy urged the withdrawal of Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Kang Sun-woo and Minister of Education nominee Lee Jin-sook.

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy noted on the 16th in a commentary that the nominees Kang and Lee, who have been embroiled in various controversies during the personnel hearing process of the Lee Jae-myung government, should voluntarily resign because they "fall short of the people's standards."

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy pointed out that regarding nominee Kang, "the controversy over the exploitation of aides is a serious disqualification as it involves the abuse of public authority for private gain using the superior status of a member of the National Assembly" and emphasized that "especially considering the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's responsibilities for gender equality, human rights, and protection of the socially disadvantaged, it is clear that she is not qualified."

It continued, stating that "Nominee Kang displayed a hesitant attitude during the personnel hearing written responses regarding gender-related policies such as non-consensual rape, comprehensive sex education, the Living Together Partner Act, and anti-discrimination laws, saying that 'social consensus is needed'" and argued that "as a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, there is no confirmation of her policy qualifications or even her willingness to reform for the realization of gender justice."

Regarding nominee Lee, it indicated that "issues of research ethics have emerged, as she listed herself as the first author on a paper that summarizes and plagiarizes a student's thesis and published two similar papers without citations," adding that "it was also confirmed that she sent her child abroad for 'early study' in violation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act."

It further stated that "this is a serious disqualification for a candidate for Minister of Education who should implement public education policies that broadly affect the people" and argued that "it is difficult to see that nominee Lee possesses the appropriate qualifications and attitude as Minister of Education."

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy asserted that "it is natural for criticism to arise regarding whether the personnel verification system has operated properly through this personnel hearing" and urged that "the presidential office should take such criticism seriously, publicly disclose the standards and procedures for personnel verification transparently, and ensure that such incidents do not recur."

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