"The Lawmaker I Like Most Among Young Politicians"—Why Rhyu Si-min Praised Yong Hye-in

[Financial News] Past remarks by writer Rhyu Si-min, who described Yong Hye-in, a nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, as "the lawmaker I like most among young politicians," are drawing renewed attention amid controversy over whether Yong should retain her seat in the National Assembly.
According to political circles on the 3rd, Rhyu Si-min named Yong Hye-in as his favorite young politician on a TBS broadcast in 2022.
Rhyu said that whenever Yong made an argument, she presented all the supporting evidence, including statistics and logic. "She is someone who knows how to make an argument," he said. He also added, "This is how one should be if one wants to do politics."
At a lecture the following year, he reportedly praised Yong's debating style, noting that she continued to make her case without becoming agitated even when saying things that could anger her opponent. "I often think that she is more impressive than I was at 45," he said.
At the time, Rhyu said, "I hope she stays in the National Assembly," while commenting on the Basic Income Party, "The party is too small," and, "Since she is doing politics anyway, I do feel some regret that she could not do it in a larger party."
Three years later, Yong is facing criticism after being nominated as a minister and stating that she intends to retain her proportional-representation seat.
Yong is the Basic Income Party's only incumbent lawmaker. She has cited the fact that the party would become a party without a seat in the National Assembly if she resigned as the reason for retaining her seat. Under current law, lawmakers may concurrently serve as members of the Cabinet.
However, because Yong has chosen differently from previous ministers who came from proportional-representation seats and gave up their legislative positions, calls for her resignation have reportedly emerged not only from opposition parties but also from within the ruling camp.
Controversy also arose after it was revealed that Park Ki-hong, Yong's spouse and the Basic Income Party's deputy director general for strategic planning, had been receiving a salary of approximately 3 million won per month under the title of a party official. Opposition parties took issue with the fact that Yong's spouse and her former and current aides were holding party posts or running in party-office elections.
The Basic Income Party countered that it operates under a collective leadership system, with roughly 20,000 members and hundreds of delegates making decisions. Regarding Park, the party reportedly maintains that he is a social activist who has been involved since before the party was founded and that his work as a party official should not be questioned merely because he is Yong's spouse.
Yong went to the office preparing for her confirmation hearing on the 2nd and said, "I am well aware that many people are worried and concerned," adding, "I will prepare thoroughly for the confirmation hearing." She did not give a specific answer when asked whether she would reconsider her decision to retain her seat.
The reasons for retaining her seat and the Basic Income Party's status in the National Assembly are expected to be issues that Yong will have to explain directly at her confirmation hearing.
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter