Civic Group Files Police Complaint Against Yong Hye-in for Abuse of Power Over Airport VIP Lounge Use

Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker of the Basic Income Party who has been nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, has been reported to the police over allegations that she used the VIP lounge at Gimpo Airport with her family in the past.

The Citizens' Coalition for Livelihood and Consumers, a conservative civic group, filed a complaint against Nominee Yong with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency today (September 2) on charges of abuse of power and violation of the Public Official Election Act.

According to the group, Yong used the Gimpo Airport VIP lounge with her family on March 9, 2023, before leaving for a trip to Jeju Island.

Under the operational rules of the Korea Airports Corporation, the VIP lounge is restricted to official duties, and the parents of eligible users are not permitted to enter, which the group argues constitutes an abuse of power.

The civic group also took issue with a video posted on social media last May. Ahead of the June 3 local elections, Yong filmed a video in front of the election office of Basic Income Party candidate Park Eun-young in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, while wearing clothing printed with the party's name.

The group stated the reason for the complaint, saying, "According to the Public Official Election Act, anyone other than the election candidate is prohibited from wearing clothing printed with a political party name from 120 days before the election until election day."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.