[Editorial] Korean-American Political Hopeful: Dodging Accountability?
Georgia House candidate Michelle Kang’s ‘peculiar’ response to allegations
In recent years, the term “straw man argument” has become popular in Korean politics. It refers to a tactic where, instead of addressing accusations directly, the person in question diverts attention by attacking another target. Though considered an outdated political maneuver, it still holds sway among certain supporters.
As the upcoming Georgia elections approach, it is anticipated that the final outcome will significantly depend on the state’s voters, particularly in District 99, which is seen as a key battleground. A recent Washington Post feature highlighted the potential influence of Asian-American voters in deciding this election, with District 99 being a focal point for this demographic.
Both major parties—Democrats and Republicans—have recognized this district as a top priority, pouring substantial resources into the race. Michelle Kang, the Democratic candidate, is challenging the incumbent, Republican Matt Reeves, drawing considerable attention from Korean voters.
As the race heats up, both sides have engaged in intense smear campaigns, leaving the Korean-American community caught in the middle. Matt Reeves has long been recognized for his support of the Korean community, so much so that he is often recommended by Korean-American leaders when state-level assistance is needed.
The attack on Michelle Kang began with the Republican Party. A text message was circulated among voters, accusing Kang of failing to pay state taxes for a Japanese restaurant she operated in 2009-2010, and not paying off personal debts. Reeves supported these claims by releasing court documents as evidence.
Our newspaper, having received this tip, reached out to Kang on September 17 for a response before running the story. Her reply was vague, stating, “Reeves is notorious for smear campaigns and personal attacks, so I am ignoring it. We are running a fair campaign to benefit all residents of the district, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or language.” Despite the ambiguity, we followed up by presenting the court documents Reeves had shared, but Kang’s response was simply, “I’ll look at it when I arrive,” and no further clarification was provided.
Two days later, on September 19, Kang gave an interview to the Korea TImes Atlanta, where she attacked Reeves, labeling him as a “white male who votes primarily for bills favoring a wealthy white people.” She claimed her campaign was focused on “building a community where all races coexist peacefully.” However, such rhetoric could be seen as further polarizing the electorate. Notably, during this interview, Kang again failed to address the allegations regarding unpaid taxes and debts.
In response, Reeves reiterated his commitment to reducing property taxes for all Gwinnett residents, including Korean Americans. He also disclosed further documents implicating Kang in a financial controversy involving a major bank and warned of additional revelations.
It wasn’t until October 2, in another interview with Korea Times Atlanta, that Kang finally offered an explanation. She claimed the company involved in the allegations was managed by her ex-husband after their divorce and was later sold. She was unaware of any unpaid taxes or debts and accused Reeves of manipulating documents to erase her ex-husband’s name. Additionally, she stated that the Georgia Department of Revenue had confirmed there were no outstanding taxes owed.
Reeves responded, noting that Michelle Kang’s name remained on the official ownership records, dismissing the claim that he had tampered with any documents. He pointed out that the Georgia Department of Revenue records showed the delinquent taxes were marked as “Released” on September 10, not because they were paid but because the statute of limitations had expired. This meant the state could no longer collect the debt.
Kang then turned her criticism toward our newspaper, alleging that we failed to verify public records from the Georgia Department of Revenue and County Court before publishing. However, we had reached out to her first, giving her the opportunity to clarify, which is standard journalistic practice. Kang’s deflection, asking why we didn’t research the records ourselves, seems misplaced, especially when we followed due diligence in reaching out for her side of the story.
Although Kang did not respond to our subsequent inquiries, we made efforts to incorporate her perspective, referring to her statements from the Korea Times Atlanta in our articles. Ironically, the same newspaper, which Kang used to air her views, presented her claims without challenging them. Matt Reeves, on the other hand, mentioned that “no Korean journalist except for those from Atlanta K Media reached out for comment,” criticizing what he perceived as biased journalism.
Kang later claimed her reluctance to fully explain the allegations was out of a desire to protect her ex-husband and three daughters. However, in such a high-stakes election, her failure to directly address the accusations was a misstep. Providing transparent explanations and documentation from the beginning could have garnered her sympathy and support.
While the Korean-American community is eager to see its representatives advance in political circles, it’s essential that those candidates demonstrate integrity and honesty. The desire is not just for a Korean politician but for a leader who responds candidly to challenges, explains circumstances truthfully, and earns the pride of the entire community.
by Paul S. Lee
