“It is pitiful to see someone clinging to her position” — Yong Hye-in’s remarks to the gender equality minister four years ago resurface

[Financial News] Amid reports that Yong Hye-in, a Basic Income Party lawmaker nominated to head the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, has said she will retain her proportional-representation seat even if appointed minister, past remarks in which she berated a member of the State Council and told her “not to cling to her position” are resurfacing.
On September 3, political circles said a video of questions posed by Yong Hye-in during a National Assembly Gender Equality and Family Committee audit in October 2022 had recently spread across social media and online communities.
At the time, Yong Hye-in asked Kim Hyun-sook, then minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF), “Would you resign if MOGEF were abolished?” When Kim avoided a direct answer, saying, “I don’t think this is something I should answer in advance,” Yong lashed out: “You said you would not answer the question about resignation. It is truly pitiful to see you clinging to your position.”
Yong continued, “There are rumors that, after MOGEF is abolished, Minister Kim may move to head the Population, Family and Gender Equality Headquarters.” She pressed her again, asking, “Would you accept the offer if one were made?”
When Kim tried to continue her answer, saying, “I have never clung to a position,” Yong raised her voice and said, “Minister, the committee member is asking a question.”
When Kim retorted, “I am answering,” Yong cut her off: “Please do not say only what you want to say. Answer the question being asked.”
Kim replied, “I will be remembered as the final minister of MOGEF, and someone else will head the Gender Equality Headquarters.” Yong continued to press her, saying, “In the end, you are not saying that you would not go or that you would refuse.”
Immediately after being nominated as a ministerial candidate on August 31, Yong formally announced that she would retain her seat, saying, “If the Basic Income Party’s only lawmaker resigns, the party would face the difficulty of becoming an extra-parliamentary party.”
Under the National Assembly Act, lawmakers may simultaneously serve as members of the State Council. However, when a proportional-representation lawmaker resigns, the next candidate on the party list can immediately succeed to the seat, so resigning upon joining the Cabinet has become customary.
As a result, criticism has emerged across both the ruling and opposition camps that the arrangement amounts to preferential treatment and an attempt to protect vested interests.
Oh Jun-ho, a candidate for leader of the Basic Income Party, said on MBC’s radio program “Kim Jong-bae’s Focus” on September 3, “If Yong Hye-in becomes minister, gender equality will improve further through the realization of basic income.” He asked the public to understand her decision to hold both offices.
Despite this explanation, controversy over her holding both offices is growing as it becomes linked to her past remarks. The ruling and opposition parties are expected to continue their dispute over her future position throughout the confirmation hearing.
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter