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Amid the recommendation to refrain from unnecessary travel due to Corona 19, it is known that the wife of the head of the Foreign Ministry, the main ministry, left Korea several times for the purpose of travel, and controversy arose. The opposition party accused him of saying: “My husband went on a trip abroad, although people can’t even get to the sanctuary” and was said to be “inappropriate” in the ruling party. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said it was difficult to request a return to Korea despite the regret.
Minister Kang’s husband, Lee Il-byung, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University, left for the United States on the 3rd to buy a yacht and travel. Professor Lee was known to the outside world when he posted his yacht purchase and travel plans on his public blog months ago. When asked what the purpose of the trip was, he replied “free ride”. Regarding the government’s recommendation to refrain from traveling abroad, “Corona 19 will not disappear in a day or two. So you can’t have it at home all the time. “
The reason Professor Lee’s trip to the United States is controversial is the special travel notice issued by the government. As Corona 19 became popular around the world, the Foreign Ministry issued a special travel advisory for all countries and regions in March. The special travel notice does not prohibit travel abroad, but recommends canceling or delaying the trip.
This is not the first time Professor Lee has traveled abroad who has ignored government measures. Professor Lee also wrote on his blog that he traveled to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with five people from February 8-17. On the 11th of the same month, the government recommended that six countries, including Vietnam, minimize travel abroad and asked them to refrain from visiting “ multiple groups, ” and Professor Lee wrote on his blog that he visited the museum of the war and great seafood restaurants.
Professor Lee is reported to have planned a trip to Greece in June to buy a yacht after learning the wrong news that Greece is allowing travelers from Korea to enter the country.
In the political world, criticism spilled. In a comment, Hyung-du Choi, the spokesman for the people’s power, said in a comment: “People refrained from making urgent trips abroad in accordance with the government’s recommendation to refrain from traveling abroad, and could not even go to the Chuseok Shrine. ” A government that only brings with it and anger ”, he criticized. Lee Nak-yeon, head of the Democratic Party, said: “It is inappropriate in the eyes of the people.”
Minister Kang told a meeting of the Foreign Ministry: “I am sorry that this happened while people are refraining from outside activities such as trips abroad.” After the meeting, he told reporters: “I knew the travel plan beforehand and I persuaded him.”
Professor Lee is expected to purchase a yacht called the Canter 51 Mistress V in the United States. This yacht is based in Plattsburgh, New York, and is a 15m long three cabin model. According to Professor Lee’s blog, the cost of buying a yacht is $ 120,000. The yacht sales site already has the yacht sold (sold listing).
Reporter Kim Young-sun [email protected]
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