Yong Hye-in Avoids Direct Answer on Whether She Will Resign as Lawmaker: "I Will Address It at the Confirmation Hearing"

[Financial News] Yong Hye-in, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, avoided giving a direct answer on the 2nd about whether she would resign her National Assembly seat if appointed minister, saying she would state her position during the confirmation hearing. Regarding concerns that abolishing prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority could weaken protections for victims of sexual violence, she said, "We will ensure that victims’ rights are not infringed during supplementary investigations and reinvestigations."
Yong met with reporters on her way to work at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Youth Work Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and expressed these views.
Asked whether she would resign her National Assembly seat, Yong said, "I understand well that a confirmation hearing is not simply a place where I speak alone, but a forum for communicating with the public." She added, "I will prepare thoroughly for the hearing and organize my thoughts carefully."
When asked, "Even before the hearing, do you have no intention of choosing between serving as minister and remaining a lawmaker?" she again avoided a direct answer, saying, "The confirmation hearing is a process of communicating with the public."
In particular, when asked whether she agreed with the criticism that simultaneously holding a proportional-representation seat and a ministerial post amounted to monopolizing preferential treatment, she replied, "I am well aware that there are various opinions, as well as concerns and worries." She continued, "As I communicate with the public and state my position, I will prepare thoroughly for the confirmation hearing so that I can clearly explain my views and thoughts to the people." Asked in a follow-up question whether her previous position remained unchanged, she added, "I will refer you to what I said a moment ago."
Yong offered relatively specific views on current policy issues.
On protecting victims of sexual violence following the abolition of prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority, she said, "I know that many women are concerned," explaining that the issue was being pursued within the broader framework of separating investigations from indictments.
Regarding abortion medication, she said, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family also believes it should be introduced to protect women’s health even before the law is amended, and I agree." She added, "If I am given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will swiftly complete its introduction and work with the National Assembly to address the legislative gap as well."
Responding to criticism that there was not yet sufficient social consensus on the Domestic Partnership Act she proposed, she said, "Family structures are already becoming more diverse." She added, "I will closely analyze the changing realities of families so that social discussion can proceed smoothly."
Regarding the Equality Act, she said, "I believe my role is to help mature the process of social deliberation," expressing her intention to meet broadly with civil society groups, religious communities and others to gather their views.
[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter