Yong Hye-in, who said dual officeholding was "not a problem," ultimately backs down and falls from contention two weeks after nomination

[Financial News] Yong Hye-in, nominee for minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, withdrew from consideration on the 13th. Just three days earlier, she had rejected calls for her resignation, saying that simultaneously holding a proportional-representation seat and a ministerial post was "a principle permitted by law." Ultimately, however, she was unable to overcome public opposition and fell from contention just two weeks after being nominated.

Yong Hye-in held a press conference at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea’s Communication Hall that day and announced, "I would like to step down as a ministerial nominee as of today." She said, "The Democratic Party conveyed that it respects the circumstances facing the nominee and the Basic Income Party, but asked me to make a decision after considering that there is not broad public support for simultaneously holding a proportional-representation seat and a ministerial post."
She continued, "A cabinet member is responsible for organically connecting the National Assembly and the government and leading cooperation between them." She explained, "However, I judged that it would be practically difficult to perform that role when even the ruling party has expressed concern." She added, "I also judged that stopping here is necessary to carry forward the spirit of solidarity among the Democratic Party, the Basic Income Party and the democratic and progressive camp."
On the 10th, Yong Hye-in had held a press conference at the same venue and directly rejected calls for her to resign her seat. At the time, she said, "As a matter of principle, the law permits a National Assembly member to simultaneously serve as a cabinet member," and expressed difficulty agreeing with the argument that only proportional-representation lawmakers should give up their seats. Regarding the practice of proportional-representation lawmakers resigning, she also said, "We need to look back and ask whether this was viewed as politicians dividing up positions among themselves."
The press conference, however, only fueled the controversy. The Democratic Party publicly pressured Yong Hye-in the previous day, citing public sentiment among young people and other concerns, saying, "We are watching this very seriously from the perspective of public expectations" and "Some measures are needed." The mood within the party also rapidly shifted from defending the nominee to demanding that she decide her future.

Yong Hye-in’s resignation is being viewed as showing that even an option legally permitted can be difficult to pursue if it is not politically accepted. Criticism was particularly strong over simultaneously retaining a ministerial post and a National Assembly seat because, unlike a constituency lawmaker, a proportional-representation seat passes to the next person on the list when vacated.
Since her nomination, Yong Hye-in had faced an intense offensive from the opposition not only over simultaneously holding a proportional-representation seat and a ministerial post, but also over her spouse’s appointment to a senior position in the Basic Income Party, allegations that she was turning the party into a personal vehicle, and so-called "underground organization" allegations. She did not back down from the allegations raised against her that day either. She claimed, "The behavior of People Power Party lawmakers, who mocked and disparaged the difficult circumstances of a minor party instead of conducting a proper vetting of the nominee, and maliciously distorted reports by some media outlets, which put fact-checking aside and did not even guarantee the right of reply, continued endlessly."
However, Yong Hye-in acknowledged, "I was also told that the press conference I held ahead of the confirmation hearing was inappropriate for a nominee for a cabinet post." She added, "That was my shortcoming. I humbly accept the criticism." She continued, "I thank the president for trusting me and entrusting me with an important responsibility, and I am sorry that I was unable to fulfill that duty." She added, "I will return to my original purpose, reflect on myself, and devote myself to my legislative activities with a humble and mature attitude."
With Yong Hye-in’s nomination having fallen through, confirmation hearings for the second Cabinet lineup will continue this week. On the 15th, hearings will be held for Kim Seung-won, nominee for minister of the Ministry of Justice; Lee Hyoung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance; and Lee So-young, nominee for minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. On the 16th, hearings will be held for Kang Shin-chul, nominee for minister of the Ministry of National Defense, and Hong Ji-sun, nominee for minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). A fierce confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected over Kim Seung-won, who faces various allegations. The presidential office is also expected to face growing difficulty in selecting a successor to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Attention is focused on whether it will again choose a political figure or appoint an expert in women’s and family policy.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter