Criticism Mounts Over Yong Hye-in's Decision to Retain Proportional Representation Seat

[Anchor]

Controversy is growing as Yong Hye-in, proportional representative lawmaker of the Basic Income Party and nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, announced her intention to keep her parliamentary seat for her party. Conventionally, proportional representatives nominated for ministerial posts have stepped down from their legislative seats as a gesture of relinquishing vested rights. The People Power Party criticized the move as an "insult to the younger generation," while voices within the progressive bloc are also expressing disapproval.

Reporter Park Jae-yeon has the details.

[Reporter]

Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker of the Basic Income Party nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

[Yong Hye-in / Basic Income Party Lawmaker (Today): (Could you also share a word regarding the controversy over holding concurrent legislative and ministerial positions?) ......]

Having secured her second term as a proportional representative through the 2024 general elections, Yong is currently the sole incumbent lawmaker for the Basic Income Party.

In the political sphere, proportional representatives stepping down upon taking cabinet posts or high-level presidential office positions has been a near-universal convention.

Unlike district lawmakers chosen by regional voters, this practice aims to share opportunities with the next candidate in line and minimize legislative vacancies.

However, Yong stated via social media, "If I step down, the party will become an extra-parliamentary party," adding, "I ask for understanding regarding the difficulties faced by a minor party," thereby making it clear that she will not resign.

Her resignation would result in the seat being succeeded by a member of the Democratic Party, the next in line from the proportional coalition party.

The People Power Party launched a direct attack, calling it "the epitome of vested-interest politics that seeks to enjoy all privileges" and an "insult to the 2030 younger generation."

[Jang Dong-hyeok / People Power Party Leader: The anger index of the 2030 generation has surpassed the critical threshold, nearing explosion.]

The Justice Party also criticized the decision, stating, "She has worn a lawmaker badge twice through satellite parties that deceived the public, yet has never apologized," and added, "She is a figure who welcomed the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers despite concerns from victims."

The People Power Party pointed out a lack of expertise, noting that Yong has not previously sponsored bills under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee. In response, the Democratic Party came to her defense, highlighting that as a working mother, she has strived for legislation supporting work-life balance, the expansion of child allowances, and the protection of victims of gender-based violence.

[Choi Min-hee / Democratic Party Supreme Council Member: She has served on the Gender Equality and Family Committee and is a tailored talent who has taken the lead in promoting the partnership act and other initiatives.]

With criticisms from the People Power Party labeling it a "family party" due to the fact that Yong's spouse serves as the strategic planning deputy secretary-general of the Basic Income Party, the Basic Income Party rebutted that "it is unfair to disparage the party as being operated based on personal relationships."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video Reported by Oh Young-chun, Shin Dong-hwan, Kim Yong-woo | Video Edited by Won Hyung-hee | Graphics by Cho Su-in, Hwang Se-yeon, Lee Ga-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.