S. Korean diplomat apologizes for using fake address for daughter

Kang Kyung-hwa arrives at a temporary office in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. The diplomat apologized Monday after using a false address to have her eldest daughter admitted at her alma mater. File Photo by Yonhap South Korea/EPA

May 29 (UPI) — South Korean foreign minister nominee Kang Kyung-wha apologized at a press briefing Monday for using a false address to register her daughter for school.

The 62-year-old diplomat explained she used a false residence to have her eldest daughter admitted at her alma mater after moving her family back to South Korea in 2000 after a year in the United States.

“My eldest daughter had trouble getting used to the environment in the U.S. and I wanted her to feel more comfortable in Korea by going to my alma mater, Ewha Girls’ High School,” Kang said, according to the Korea Herald.

“My close mentor gave me a random address [near the school] to register as my daughter’s residency,” she added.

The Blue House, or Cheong Wa Dae, which houses President Moon Jae-In, initially said the address belonged to a relative of Kang’s while announcing her nomination May 21. Kang said her husband gave the Blue House the wrong information because he was unaware of the deception.

“My husband does not know anything about it, so when Cheong Wa Dae asked him, I think he just speculated that it was a relative’s house,” the diplomat said.

“I am sorry for evoking criticism due to my mistake,” she added.

The Korea Times reported the controversy has fueled suspicions of corruption surrounding Kang, a member, like Moon, of the Democratic Party of Korea. The National Assembly was to hold a confirmation hearing for Kang in June.

“She now has an additional allegation of lying, which is the most serious flaw for a high-ranking official,” Rep. Chung Woo-taik, the acting head of the opposing Liberty Korea Party, said. “I’d like to ask Moon and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea if they really believe the Assembly can hold a normal confirmation hearing for such a nominee.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here