Yong Hye-in Dodges Question on Resigning Lawmaker Post, Faces Ruling Party Criticism

〈Anchor〉

Today's 8 O'Clock News begins with the verification of ministerial and Supreme Court justice nominees ahead of their confirmation hearings. First, lawmaker Yong Hye-in, nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, has avoided giving a direct answer regarding whether she will resign from her proportional representation lawmaker seat. When asked if she has any intention of choosing between being a member of the National Assembly and a minister, she stated, "I will well prepare for the confirmation hearing." Criticisms are growing even within the ruling party that she should give up her legislative seat.

Our first report is by reporter Jo Yoon-ha.

〈Reporter〉

Nominee Yong Hye-in made her first commute to the confirmation hearing preparation office three days after being nominated as a ministerial candidate.

She expressed her aspirations as a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

[Yong Hye-in / Nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family: With the initial resolve to remain unwavering and sincere, I will strive to make the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the people's sovereign government the ministry closest to the people.]

Regarding criticisms from women's groups over her support for abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, she said, "I will listen attentively to voices from the field to ensure victims' rights and interests are not infringed upon," and also explained her stance on pending issues such as the constituent elements of the crime of rape and the prompt introduction of abortion medication.

However, she sidestepped the most controversial question of whether she will resign from her proportional representation lawmaker seat.

[Yong Hye-in / Nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family: Because the confirmation hearing process is a process of communicating together with our citizens, I will organize and convey my thoughts well while thoroughly preparing for the hearing.]

Previously, Yong hinted through social media that she would maintain her proportional representation lawmaker seat even if she becomes a minister, asking for understanding regarding the difficulties faced by minor parties.

Since 2000, it has been customary for proportional representation lawmakers to resign when nominated as ministerial candidates.

This is because if a district lawmaker resigns, the representative elected by local voters disappears and a by-election must be held at a cost, whereas for proportional representation, the next person in line immediately succeeds to the lawmaker seat, eliminating by-elections and gaps in legislative activity.

Criticisms erupted even within the Democratic Party that Yong, who became a member of the National Assembly twice solely through satellite party proportional representation, should not attempt to concurrently hold the ministerial post,

[Song Young-gil / Democratic Party Lawmaker (SBS Radio 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show'): There are doubts about what kind of appeal she would have to those in their 20s and 30s when appointing her as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. It is as if she suddenly achieved a meteoric rise and received double and triple preferential treatment.]

Meanwhile, the People Power Party kept up its offensive, calling it "greedy politics that reveals greed."

[Park Chung-kwon / Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party: Citing the difficulties of a minor party, she is brazenly granting herself preferential exceptions.]

Meanwhile, a civic group filed a complaint with the police against nominee Yong on charges of abuse of power regarding her use of the VIP lounge at Gimpo Airport with her family in 2023 before departing for a trip to Jeju Island.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Lee Seung-hwan | Video by Jeon Min-gyu
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.