Foreign minister in hot seat over husband's yacht-buying trip to US
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her husband Lee Yill-byung, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University, attend her appointment ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae, in this June 2017 photo. Lee has faced criticism for a recent trip to the U.S. to purchase a yacht as the foreign ministry had earlier issued a travel advisory calling on people to refrain from travel abroad as part of efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Yonhap
By Jung Da-min
A controversy has arisen over a trip made to the United States by Lee Yill-byung, the husband of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, because it went against the ministry's recommendation to refrain from overseas travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lee went to the U.S. to buy a yacht.
Although it is not illegal for individuals to travel abroad, criticism has been raised that a family member of the head of the ministry in charge of the overseas travel controls, did not follow the government recommendation which the majority of people have abided by.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a “special travel advisory” in March, calling on citizens to cancel or postpone trips abroad as part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus. The advisory is still in effect.
But Lee, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University, was spotted at Incheon International Airport, Saturday, by reporters of local broadcaster KBS, departing for the U.S.
On his blog Lee earlier wrote about his travel plans to purchase a yacht, a Kanter 51 Pilothouse, and sailing to the eastern coast of the U.S. and then southward to the Caribbean Sea.
When asked about the purpose of his trip to the U.S., Lee said he was going on holiday.
“The coronavirus will not disappear within a day or two. You cannot just stay at home every day, so in my opinion you can maintain a normal life to an extent while remaining vigilant,” Lee said, in answer to a question regarding the government's travel advisory.
His trip and answers immediately drew criticism from politicians.
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) criticized the Moon Jae-in government for asking residents to sacrifice their personal freedoms while high-ranking officials of the ruling bloc did not see fit to follow the government's virus containment measures.
“After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' advisory to refrain from traveling abroad was issued in March, overseas travel has become a dream-like thing for the people, but Prof. Lee Yill-byung, the husband of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, was spotted departing for the U.S. to purchase a yacht and go on holiday,” PPP vice spokesman Hwang Kyu-hwan said in a written commentary, Sunday. “Those who have endured pain and sacrifice (by refraining from overseas trips) are feeling devastated and dejected.”
“People of the country have refrained from overseas trips and visits to their families during the Chuseok holiday following the government's recommendation,” Rep. Choi Hyung-du, a spokesman of the PPP, said. “I can't believe the husband of the foreign minister, who is the relevant minister, went for an overseas trip as he pleases. Is this a proper, civilized country?”
Criticism rose from the ruling bloc.
Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said in a press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday, that Lee's U.S. trip was “an inappropriate act” because it was made by a family member of the foreign minister who issued the travel advisory.
Public opinion was divided over Lee's travel.
“Is going to the U.S. to purchase a yacht not illegal and thus okay? Then I think the government's recommendations to the people not to visit family during Chuseok and not to stage rallies violated people's rights and freedoms,” an internet user wrote.
But some others said Lee was not a government official himself and did not break any law as the travel advisory is not a ban but a recommendation.
As criticism mounted, Kang apologized for the controversy during a meeting with foreign ministry officials, Sunday.
“I am sorry that this happened when the people are refraining from outside activities including overseas travels,” Kang was quoted as saying by a ministry official.