Yong Hye-in: "Concurrent Holding of Positions Permitted by Law... We Must Understand the Intent Behind Nominating a Sitting Opposition Lawmaker"

▲ Yong Hye-in, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, holds a press conference to announce her position at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 10th.

Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, addressed the controversy surrounding her simultaneously holding a proportional representative lawmaker seat and a ministerial post, stating, "Lawmakers and cabinet ministers holding positions concurrently is permitted by law."

During a press conference at the National Assembly today (the 10th), Nominee Yong said, "Nominating a sitting opposition lawmaker as a minister is the first case since the DJP (Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil) coalition during the Kim Dae-jung administration, so it is difficult to evaluate it as a mere convention," making the remarks as such.

She reiterated her stance that she will concurrently hold her proportional representative lawmaker seat and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family post in accordance with the law.

Nominee Yong stated, "We must read the intent of the coalition that nominated a sitting opposition lawmaker," adding, "It is regrettable that before we could confirm this significance and explain it in detail to the public, the Democratic Party spokesperson's public stance was posted, solidifying it into a pre-arranged frame."

She continued, "The principle of representation applies equally to lawmakers from single-member constituencies," and argued, "Rather, we should look back and consider whether the convention of resigning as a proportional representative has instead become a way for politicians to divide up spoils."

She further emphasized, "If the argument is that we need to have legislative discussions regarding the side effects of lawmakers and state council members holding positions concurrently as a matter of principle, I agree with the necessity of such discussions," while noting, "It is difficult to agree with applying a different principle and yardstick only to proportional representative lawmakers."

Nominee Yong said, "The Basic Income Party has grown into a small but strong party," and added, "As a small single-seat party in the legislature, we have sought to engage in political activities that propose alternatives with responsibility through a slightly more secure loudspeaker."

She also stated, "If my personal advancement were important, I would not have accepted the ministerial post called upon by the person with the appointment authority to work for the country and its people."

Nominee Yong conveyed, "I have heard many suggestions asking what it would be like to perform the ministerial duties instead of the lawmaker seat and join a larger party," and added, "I thought that achieving dignity for all is more important than personal advancement, and I accepted the nomination for a gender-equal society."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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