Korean Official Apologizes for Controversial Remarks on Political Parties

Kang Jun-wook (강준욱), the Presidential Secretary for National Integration, has publicly apologized for his controversial statements labeling the Democratic Party (더불어민주당) as 'red' and expressing support for former President Yoon Suk-yeol's (윤석열) declaration of a state of emergency. In a statement on July 20, 2025, he acknowledged the criticism he received and expressed regret for the pain his words caused to citizens who suffered during the months of martial law. Kang stated, 'I sincerely apologize for the deep wounds my book's content and expressions have inflicted on the people.' He emphasized his commitment to fostering unity among a divided populace based on generations, classes, and ideologies.

In his book, 'Democracy of Barbarism' (야만의 민주주의), published in March, Kang described the emergency declaration as a necessary response to the 'democratic tyranny' of the opposition party, which he claimed paralyzed the government. He expressed significant concern that if Lee Jae-myung (이재명), a leading candidate from the opposition, were to become president, it would lead to a regime characterized by fear and authoritarianism.

Kang's past remarks, including a 2020 statement where he compared the Democratic Party and the Justice Party (정의당) to 'extreme reds' and 'regular reds,' have sparked backlash. He also referred to the then-ruling party, the Future United Party (미래통합당), as a 'center-left party.' Following the emergence of these statements in the media, critics questioned how a person who supports insurrection could contribute to national unity. Despite the controversy, a presidential official confirmed that there are no plans to retract Kang's appointment, as it was made in the spirit of integration.