Cheong Wa Dae Says Yong Hye-in Should Have a Chance to Explain Herself at Confirmation Hearing Amid Controversy Over Retaining Assembly Seat

[Financial News] Cheong Wa Dae said on the 1st that Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, should have the opportunity to directly explain the controversy over whether she will keep her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly during her confirmation hearing.
A Cheong Wa Dae official, asked at the Chunchugwan Press Center whether the presidential office was tolerating Yong's plan to retain her seat, said, "As for a ministerial nominee, I think there should be an opportunity to explain the various questions and doubts that have been raised in public through the confirmation hearing process."
Yong, the Basic Income Party's only sitting lawmaker, was nominated by President Lee Jae-myung on the 30th of last month as the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. She then said she would keep her Assembly seat even if she is appointed minister.
Yong was elected twice through Democratic Party of Korea-led proportional representation alliance parties, first through the Platform Party in 2020 and then through the Democratic Alliance of Korea in 2024. If she resigns from the National Assembly, the Basic Income Party would become a party without a seat in the legislature, and the proportional representation seat would pass to the next candidate on the list.
Since it has been customary in politics for proportional representation lawmakers to give up their seats when entering the Cabinet, calls for her resignation are coming not only from the opposition but also from some in the ruling bloc.
[email protected] Sung Seok-woo Reporter