Controversy Erupts at Kang Sun-woo's Confirmation Hearing Over Allegations of Misconduct

During the confirmation hearing for Kang Sun-woo, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, an unexpected topic arose on July 14: food waste. This came about as allegations surfaced that Kang had made her staff dispose of her household trash.

At the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee hearing, Lee Dal-hee, a member of the People Power Party, held up a trash bag and stated, "This leftover food waste and various types of general trash were mixed together and taken out via the elevator or vehicle." He then asked, "Have you ever had someone else handle your leftover food?" He presented what he claimed were photographic evidence showing Kang demanding her aides to sort the trash, pointing out that it was found in her official vehicle.

A former aide claimed, "Whenever trash accumulated at her home, she would routinely take it down herself. The boxes contained leftover chicken, dumplings, and other mixed waste."

Lee pressed Kang to clarify whether the evidence was false, demanding a straightforward answer. However, Kang requested more time to explain.

Lee continued, stating, "This is just the tip of the iceberg," and mentioned that additional testimonies had emerged on an anonymous board for National Assembly aides. He listed various allegations against Kang, including directing aides to compare estimates for purchasing appliances, instructing them to buy luxury goods from department stores, and demanding personal services such as hotel pickups. He also mentioned receiving abusive text messages every ten minutes and requests for special treatment in airport security areas. Lee challenged Kang to specify which parts of these allegations were false, insisting she respond within 30 seconds.

Kang replied, "I ask for your understanding to allow me time to explain." Lee countered, "I gave you 30 seconds; time is running out."

Kang acknowledged that explaining everything in 30 seconds would be insufficient but promised to provide a detailed response. She refuted claims that she had no housekeeper, stating, "Reports claiming I made false statements about this are not true."

When Lee pressed her again, asking if all the evidence and broadcasts were false, Kang requested the opportunity to continue her remarks. After Lee's questioning time ended, Kang elaborated, saying, "You asked if it was true or false, but I believe I need to explain the overall context for clarity." She mentioned that she had shown documents to ruling party members indicating that a housekeeper had been present in her home.

Kang expressed concern that disclosing certain documents could harm the trust between her family and the housekeeper, fearing it could lead to negative consequences for her child and the housekeeper.

Regarding the trash photos presented by the former aide, Kang explained, "There are various items related to filming or supplies prepared for office use, which I sometimes take down in boxes. I have also taken food I was eating the night before to eat in the car the next morning, and I acknowledge that leaving it in the car was my mistake."

Kang concluded by apologizing to anyone who may have been hurt by the controversy, stating, "I sincerely apologize for any distress caused by my shortcomings."

Kang is currently facing allegations of abuse of power, coercion, and violations of labor laws, having been reported to civic groups for these issues.