Kim Haeng

Disappearing Act: Kim Haeng and the Unprecedented Dramatic Exit that Shook the Nation

By Byung Kee Park

Seoul, South Korea — In a remarkable turn of events, the term 'dramatic exit' has become a buzzword in South Korea, thanks to Kim Haeng, the nominee for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. 

Kim, a former journalist from JoongAng Ilbo and a previous emergency measures committee member of the People Power Party, pledged to make a "dramatic exit" while ensuring the smooth abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) during her first day at the office in the MOGEF's personnel hearing preparation team office on September 14th. 

When queried about the meaning of a "dramatic exit" by journalists, she explained it as "happily exiting so that the policies are executed efficiently, and the MOGEF officials can better utilize their capabilities."

However, Kim Haeng became the talk of the town for making a dramatic exit not after abolishing the MOGEF, but during her confirmation hearing. On October 5th, she dramatically exited the confirmation hearing before officially adjourning and became unreachable. As of October 10th, the hearing remains unadjourned. Kwon In-sik, the National Assembly MOGEF Committee Chairman, expressed concern, stating that "the minister candidate, who came to abolish the MOGEF, is not attending," and that "continuous attempts to contact her have been unsuccessful, and even the preparation team leader cannot reach her."

This incident marks an unprecedented situation in South Korean history where a minister nominee has disappeared during their confirmation hearing. The focal point of the hearing was the allegation that the online media outlet Wikitree, operated by Kim Haeng, was a yellow journalism platform and that she had received a substantial amount of cryptocurrency through the medium. Kim herself admitted to feeling "ashamed" when confronted with the accusation that she is a part of negative kind of media company. Also the questioners of the hearing asked about her being a stock tycoon, increasing her stock value 79-fold through the media business. Kim didn't agree with this accusation. 

In addition to this, Kim Haeng faced allegations of embezzlement during her company's operation and failed to provide clear answers or submit relevant documents, and that led her to dramatically exit late at night with members of the People Power Party during the hearing. 

Prior to the hearing, President Yoon Suk-yeol was strongly expected to nominate Kim Haeng. However, post-hearing, even the conservative media outlet Chosun Ilbo, which generally supports the Yoon administration, criticized the situation as "absurd."

Chosun Ilbo, in an editorial titled "The Absurd Situation Where the Ruling Party and the Minister Nominee Jointly Boycott the Hearing," criticized, "Even if the opposition's offensive is excessive, it is absurd that a person who wants to become a minister disappeared in the middle of a hearing."

Conservative commentator Jeon Yeok also urged voluntary resignation on her blog, stating, "If Kim, who couldn't even protect the hearing room, becomes a minister, she might resign even faster than Cho Kuk, a former Minister of Justice under Moon Jae-in administration, who resigned after 35 days." Conservative commentator and attorney Jeon Won-chaek also pointed out, "The problem with nominee Kim Haeng involves unlisted stocks and money-related issues," suggesting that President Yoon should consider withdrawing her nomination.

In an SBS Radio interview, Lee Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party, suggested that "reducing the president's burden might be one way to go." When the host asked if this meant Kim should voluntarily resign, he responded, "I think Kim will decide."

The opposition Democratic Party proposed the 'Kim Haeng Prevention Law' in response to Kim Haeng's disappearance during the personnel hearing, while the ruling People Power Party is reportedly planning to propose the 'Kwon In-sook Prevention Law (National Assembly Law Amendment).' Kwon was a presider of the hearing and asked Kim to resign if she insists that she doesn't want to turn in proper documents. 

Kim Haeng seems poised for a dramatic exit one way or another. If her appointment is forced through, she will make a dramatic exit alongside the abolition of the MOGEF; if her nomination is withdrawn, she will make a dramatic exit after shaking up the entire Republic of Korea. With a dramatic exit already made during the hearing, it seems 'Dramatic Exit Season 2' awaits.