Kang Sun-woo 'Problematic Person' Dodges Words, Also Obstructs Reemployment.. Another Allegation Emerges

[Financial News]  Following the 'staff abuse' allegations against Kang Sun-woo, candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, claims have been raised that she obstructed the reemployment of resigned staff.

According to the JoongAng Ilbo on the 14th, former staff member A, who worked in Kang Sun-woo's office, claimed, "What has been revealed so far is just the tip of the iceberg," asserting that there was organized ostracism, inducement to resign, and obstruction of employment after resignation led by candidate Kang within the office. Currently, candidate Kang is under suspicion for instructing staff to separate household waste and repair toilets while serving as a member of the National Assembly.

A stated, "(Candidate Kang) specifically picks certain individuals to exclude from group chat rooms and sends signals not to talk to them in front of everyone," explaining the situation.

He continued, "Eventually, the matter is resolved by sending them out through surrounding people," adding that "if the issue is raised, warnings follow saying 'I will make sure you can never work in this field again.'"

In particular, A reported that "(former staff members) even when applying elsewhere, advance contact is made to circulate the phrase 'problematic person', repeatedly blocking employment," and "those who are cut off after harassment often do not even dare to apply to new places."

In fact, it is reported that several tips have been received in Han Ji-ah's office that candidate Kang's side obstructed the hiring of former staff trying to move to other offices.

If A's claims are true, it constitutes a violation of the Labor Standards Act. No one should write, use, or communicate secret codes or lists with the intent to obstruct employment. Violating this can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

In response, one lawmaker said, "If a National Assembly member, who has a responsibility to protect fellow staff, rather blocked their future, it is beyond a political issue and becomes a human rights issue," pointing out, "If the raised allegations are true, candidate Kang is not qualified as a minister of a department that protects social minorities."

Kang's side recently sent messages to the Democratic Party's Gender Equality and Family Committee office stating, "We will take legal action against two former staff members who maliciously report false information." They also explained the criticism of replacing 46 staff members since entering the National Assembly in 2020 by saying, "The number includes duplicate calculations with position changes, and the actual number is 28, which is a typical number."

They added, "If you hear the circumstances before and after, you will know that the allegations and facts are different," and "I will clarify my position during the personnel hearing on the 14th."


gaa1003@fnnews.com An Gaeul Reporter