Kang Sun Woo Faces Aide Abuse And Turnover Allegations

Kang Sun-woo, the nominee for South Korea's Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is currently under intense scrutiny following revelations about her management of parliamentary aides and allegations of abuse of power. According to multiple reports, including a detailed investigation by SBS and data obtained by opposition lawmaker Han Ji-ah, Kang has replaced her aides an unusually high number of times and allegedly subjected them to inappropriate demands.

Since her election to the National Assembly in 2020, Kang has appointed 51 aides and dismissed 46, a turnover rate that has raised eyebrows in political circles. Typically, a National Assembly member's office is staffed by nine aides, including two Level 4 aides and two Level 5 senior secretaries, who play crucial roles in supporting the legislator’s policy and administrative work. Yet Kang’s frequent replacement of aides, particularly at the Level 4 position, is considered rare and has prompted questions about her leadership style and respect for her staff.

Han Ji-ah, a member of the People Power Party, submitted Kang’s aide employment records to the National Assembly Secretariat, revealing the scale of the turnover. For example, in Kang’s first year in office, 2020, she hired 11 aides but also dismissed two Level 4 aides and one Level 5 senior secretary. The pattern continued in subsequent years, with aides being dismissed and replaced regularly. In 2024, when Kang began her second term, she appointed 14 aides, and in the first half of 2025, two Level 4 aides were dismissed, with only one position filled. The Secretariat noted that some duplication in the data might exist due to promotions or reappointments, but the overall frequency remains noteworthy.

Political observers have expressed concern over this pattern. One lawmaker remarked, "The frequent turnover of aides raises doubts about Kang’s ability to respect people and effectively lead an organization, especially one as sensitive as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family." Another aide from a different parliamentary office said, "Kang’s high rate of aide replacement was surprising even among other lawmakers' staff." Kang's confirmation hearing preparation team has promised to address these concerns during the upcoming hearing.

Compounding these concerns are allegations of 'gapjil'—a Korean term for abuse of power—leveled against Kang by former aides. SBS reported on July 9, 2025, that during the 21st National Assembly, Kang instructed her aides to perform personal household chores, including taking out garbage from her home. A former aide, referred to as 'A,' described how Kang regularly brought out garbage boxes filled with mixed trash such as leftover chicken and dumplings, ordering aides to dispose of them. According to A, the trash was sorted at either the National Assembly or Kang’s local office before being discarded.

A expressed frustration, saying, "Normally, would anyone order their staff to take out garbage? Even in the military, such tasks aren’t assigned to personal aides. It was degrading and unreasonable." Another former aide, 'B,' recounted how Kang directed her to inspect a broken bidet nozzle in her home’s toilet. B found the nozzle damaged and water continuously leaking. Unable to fix the problem herself, B called a repair company and reported the repair back to Kang.

Multiple aides have testified that Kang treated them more like household servants than professional staff, describing the experience as "humiliating" and "servile." SBS has secured witness statements and evidence supporting these claims. Yet, Kang has denied ordering aides to perform household chores, stating, "I have a housekeeper, so there was no need to ask aides to take care of garbage or other housework." Regarding the bidet issue, she explained, "My house was flooded, and while I mentioned the problem to a former aide, I never asked them to fix it."

The allegations are particularly striking given Kang’s legislative record. During her tenure in the 21st National Assembly, she championed the so-called 'Abuse Prevention Act' aimed at curbing workplace abuses and protecting vulnerable workers. In September 2020, Kang stated, "There must be stricter management to prevent various forms of abuse and illegal acts against workers." This contrast between her public stance and the accusations from her aides has intensified public interest and political debate.

Kang’s confirmation hearing, scheduled amid these controversies, will likely be a pivotal moment. Her team has indicated readiness to respond to questions about aide turnover and abuse allegations. Meanwhile, political commentators and the public await to see whether Kang can convincingly address these issues and demonstrate the leadership qualities necessary to head the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

The case highlights broader concerns about workplace culture and power dynamics within political offices in South Korea. Frequent aide turnover and allegations of mistreatment are uncommon and raise questions about the working environment Kang fostered. As the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is tasked with promoting fairness and protecting vulnerable groups, its leader’s own conduct is under a particularly intense spotlight.

In sum, Kang Sun-woo faces a challenging confirmation process marked by serious questions about her management style and respect for her staff. The coming weeks will reveal whether she can overcome these hurdles and fulfill the responsibilities of a minister entrusted with advancing gender equality and social justice in South Korea.