Ahn Cheol-soo says appointing Yong Hye-in, a "hate merchant," as minister would be a self-destruct card for President Lee

[Financial News] As Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, was nominated for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo strongly criticized the move, saying that appointing Yong, whom he called a "hate merchant," would become a self-destruct card for President Lee Jae-myung's administration. He argued that if Yong takes office, excessive feminist policies could instead intensify gender conflict.
Ahn wrote on Facebook on the 31st, "Yong is a privileged child who received a proportional representation seat twice in a row as a Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) favor," adding, "Even if she becomes a minister, she is acting like an aristocrat by saying she will keep her proportional lawmaker seat."
Ahn also said Yong had encouraged hatred and division throughout her term as a lawmaker. He pointed to her opposition in 2021 to a DPK lawmaker's proposal to honor military service members as national defense contributors, calling it "gender discrimination that reduces women's share." He also said that at a 2024 rally condemning former President Yoon Suk-yeol's state affairs scandal, she made a remark known as "500 million in 550 million units," which is seen as a misogynistic expression. Ahn said she had "stirred up conflict between men and women in their 20s and 30s with every kind of language."
Ahn warned the government, "She will not be a 'minister for gender equality' but a 'minister for gender discrimination,' and it is obvious that she will produce divisive regulations and misuse taxpayers' money." He added, "She will provoke public anger, and the ruling party will fall into a pit so deep that even damage control will be difficult."
He then urged the government to withdraw the nomination, saying, "If public sentiment is pushed against the grain, President Lee's approval rating will soon start with a '2.'"
Earlier, President Lee appointed Yong as the nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as part of a second-round Cabinet reshuffle announced the previous day, which included changes to six ministries. However, opposition parties are demanding that the nomination be withdrawn, citing Yong's past political activities.
Above all, controversy over her qualifications is growing as Yong has indicated that she intends to keep her proportional representation seat even after taking office as minister.
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