Chang Sang

3.1. President of Ewha Womans University

After returning to Korea, Chang Sang joined Ewha Womans University as a professor in the Christian Studies department. Her tenure at the university saw her rise through the ranks, serving as an assistant and associate professor from 1977 to 1985, and becoming a full professor in the College of Humanities in 1985. In 1996, she was appointed the 11th President of Ewha Womans University, a position she held until her nomination as Prime Minister in 2002. Her appointment was particularly significant as she was the first married woman to serve as president in the university's history, marking a progressive step for the institution.

3.2. Other Academic and Social Activities

Beyond her direct roles at Ewha Womans University, Chang Sang was actively involved in various academic and social organizations. She served as the Director of the Korean Culture Research Institute at Ewha Womans University from 1989 to 1990, the Dean of Student Affairs from 1990 to 1993, the Dean of the College of Humanities from 1993 to 1996, and the Dean of the Graduate School of Information Science from 1995 to 1996.

Her broader engagements included serving as Vice President of the YWCA Federation from 1981 to 1997 and as an Executive Committee member of the World YWCA from 1987 to 1991. She was also deeply involved with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), serving as an Executive Committee member from 1982 to 1989 and as Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperation and Witness from 1989 to 1997. Additionally, she held positions such as Chairman of the Korea Private University Presidents' Council, Advisory Committee member of the Korea Women Voters' League, Unification Advisor for the Ministry of Unification, and Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council.

4.1. Nomination as Prime Minister and Controversies

In July 2002, President Kim Dae-jung nominated Chang Sang as the Prime Minister, making her the first woman in South Korean history to be put forward for the position. She briefly served as acting Prime Minister from July 11 to July 31, 2002, following the departure of Lee Han-dong. However, her nomination faced intense scrutiny during the parliamentary confirmation hearings in the National Assembly.

During these hearings, several allegations and controversies emerged, drawing significant public attention. These included:

• Dual Nationality of Son: It was revealed that her eldest son, born during her studies in the United States, held dual nationality. While she stated that a pledge to renounce his foreign nationality was made in 1977, this issue became a major point of contention.
• Academic Record Discrepancies: Questions were raised regarding alleged false statements or discrepancies in her academic records.
• Property Speculation: Allegations of land speculation were brought forth, suggesting improper financial activities related to property acquisition.
• Fraudulent Resident Registration: She faced accusations of fraudulent resident registration, a practice known as "fake address registration" (위장전입_{wijoeng-jeonip}^Korean), which is illegal in South Korea and often used to gain advantages in housing or school admissions.

The opposition parties mounted a strong offensive based on these allegations. Despite her defense, Chang Sang characterized the hearings as an environment where "questions were prioritized over answers" and where there was no willingness to listen to her explanations. Ultimately, the National Assembly rejected her appointment as Prime Minister, leading to her withdrawal as a candidate. She was succeeded by Chang Dae-whan as acting Prime Minister.

4.2. Party Activities and Elections

Following the rejection of her prime ministerial nomination, Chang Sang became more directly involved in party politics. In February 2006, she officially joined the Democratic Party. Within the party, she took on significant roles, serving as a co-chairperson and chairing the election committee for the 4th simultaneous local elections. In 2010, she ran as the Democratic Party candidate for a seat in the National Assembly in the Eunpyeong-gu B constituency in Seoul during a by-election. However, she was unsuccessful in her bid, losing to Lee Jae-oh of the Grand National Party.

7.1. Positive Contributions and Recognition

Her most significant contribution is her pioneering role as the first woman to be nominated and briefly serve as acting Prime Minister of South Korea. This historic nomination, regardless of its outcome, symbolized a breakthrough for women in the highest echelons of South Korean politics and inspired discussions about gender equality in leadership. Her tenure as the first married female president of Ewha Womans University also marked a progressive milestone in academia. Throughout her academic career, she was recognized for her scholarly contributions and leadership in various educational and social organizations. For her public service and contributions, she was awarded the National Medal of Merit, Moranjang, in 1999.

7.2. Criticisms and Controversies

The controversies that arose during her prime ministerial nomination, particularly concerning her son's dual nationality, alleged academic record discrepancies, property speculation, and fraudulent resident registration, significantly impacted her political career. While her supporters argued that the parliamentary hearings were overly aggressive and did not allow for a fair presentation of facts, critics maintained that the allegations raised legitimate concerns about her suitability for such a high office. These issues sparked broader public debate in South Korea regarding ethical standards for public officials and the scrutiny faced by candidates for top government positions.