Even Her Allies Turn Against Yong Hye-in...Backlash Spreads Across the Progressive Camp

[Financial News] Opposition to Yong Hye-in, nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, is spreading within the progressive camp. After the Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) publicly called for her resignation as a proportional-representation lawmaker, concerns have also begun emerging from the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea.
On the 3rd, Kim Jun-hyung, floor leader of the RKP, criticized Yong's position that she would retain her proportional-representation seat even if appointed minister. Kim urged her, saying, "What is needed is not a promise for the future, but a decision on this appointment," and, "Please make a judgment that the public can accept." In effect, he was calling for her resignation as a lawmaker. The RKP is considered part of the ruling bloc, so its public opposition is viewed as carrying more weight than the People Power Party's attacks.
Caution is also emerging from the Democratic Party of Korea leadership. Kim Min-seok said of the controversy surrounding Yong that day, "I am listening to the many concerns and criticisms and thinking deeply about them." As the controversy over Yong's nomination spreads beyond the opposition camp to the broader ruling bloc, the ruling party leadership also appears conscious of the burden.
The Reform Party also applied pressure through an opinion poll. In a poll conducted by its think tank, The Reform Institute, 80% of respondents said, "If an incumbent lawmaker is appointed minister, it is desirable for the lawmaker to resign and devote themselves to the ministerial post." Fifteen percent said the lawmaker should retain the seat.
The Justice Party (JP) also called for Yong's nomination to be withdrawn. JP leader Yang Kyung-gyu criticized the appointment, asking, "Is appointing as minister a politician who became a lawmaker twice through satellite parties really the kind of personnel decision a government seeking to restore democracy should make?" Yong was elected in the 21st general election through the Platform Party, the Democratic Party of Korea's proportional satellite party, and was reelected in the 22nd general election as a proportional-representation candidate for the Democratic Alliance of Korea, led by the Democratic Party of Korea. The satellite-party issue, which progressive parties have criticized, has resurfaced over this appointment.
Opposition from women's groups is continuing as well. The Korean Women’s Political Network called Yong "unqualified to serve as minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," citing her call for the complete abolition of supplementary investigative powers and her history of participating in a satellite party. With controversies over not only the nominee's policy capabilities but also her retention of the lawmaker's seat and participation in a satellite party, conflicts within the progressive camp are expected to become even more visible during the confirmation hearing process.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter