Kang Gi-gap

Kang Gi-gap (Korean: 강기갑, born (1953-06-07)June 7, 1953) is a South Korean farmer who has also worked as a journalist and politician, having started his career as a farmer's rights activist. He served as a National Assembly member for the Democratic Labor Party during the 17th and 18th sessions and was a prominent progressive politician within the Democratic Labor Party and the Unified Progressive Party. He was well-known for his distinctive appearance, characterised by traditional Korean attire, specifically hanbok and durumagi, rubber shoes and a beard. He served as vice-chairman of the National Farmers' Association and participated in the movement opposing the Korea-US FTA. In 1991, while attending a rally in Seoul against the Uruguay Round, he became aware of the issue regarding unmarried rural men and garnered public attention by spearheading an initiative to help them find spouses. He also worked as a regional bureau chief for The Hankyoreh newspaper and served as a director and auditor for the Sacheon-eup Agricultural Cooperative Federation. After entering politics, he made headlines in December 2008 when a photograph of him protesting inside the office of the National Assembly deputy speaker against the "railroading" of an FTA-related bill went viral. He had previously served as the Sacheon bureau chief of The Hankyoreh in 1988. After retiring from politics, he returned to farming. His Catholic baptismal name is Roberto.