Why is Rep. Yong Hye-in facing criticism over her nomination as gender equality minister?

She has been criticized for saying she will keep her National Assembly seat if appointed to the Cabinet. The backlash also includes allegations of nepotism involving her husband and alleged ties to a left-leaning underground political party.

What did the Democratic Party of Korea say about the controversy over Yong Hye-in’s ministerial nomination?

DPK senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon said the party would take the issue seriously and was urgently gathering assessments and views from both inside and outside the party. He said the party would approach the matter from the perspective of the people.

What is the presidential office’s position on Yong Hye-in before her confirmation hearing?

The presidential office said Yong should be allowed to explain herself to the public during the confirmation hearing before any decision is made. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the office is also listening to public opinion.

DPK says it will take controversy over gender minister nominee 'seriously'

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Summary

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Friday it will take the controversy over Rep. Yong Hye-in’s nomination as gender equality minister seriously in Seoul. Party senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon said the leadership is urgently gathering views from inside and outside the party. The presidential office said Yong should be given a chance to explain herself at a confirmation hearing before any decision is made.

Key Facts

A Gallup Korea survey released Friday found that 61 percent of respondents said Yong Hye-in was unfit for the job, while 13 percent said she was suitable.
Yong said Thursday she intended to keep her National Assembly seat even if appointed to the Cabinet.
Under current law, lawmakers can also serve as Cabinet members, but proportional representatives have usually given up their Assembly seats when joining the Cabinet.
Yong is the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, and she said her party would become a non-parliamentary party if she resigned her seat.
Criticism has also centered on allegations of nepotism involving her husband and alleged ties to a left-leaning underground political party.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 11, 2026 2:37 pm KST
Updated Sep 11, 2026 5:34 pm KST

Yong Hae-in, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, answers questions from the press at Seodaemun District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Friday it will take the controversy over the nomination of Rep. Yong Hye-in as gender equality minister "seriously" amid growing criticism over her nomination.

DPK senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon made the remarks after a meeting of the party's supreme council, saying the party leadership is "urgently gathering assessments and views from both within and outside the party" about her nomination.

"We will take the issue seriously from the perspective of the people," he told reporters.

His remarks came a day after Yong reiterated at a press conference her intention to keep her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly even if appointed to the Cabinet post.

Under current law, lawmakers can double as members of the Cabinet, though proportional representatives have customarily given up their parliamentary seats to join the Cabinet, passing on the post to the next candidate in line on the proportional representation list.

Yong, who is the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, earlier noted that her party would become a non-parliamentary party should she resign as a lawmaker.

She has since faced criticism for refusing to give up her Assembly seat, as well as allegations of nepotism involving her husband and alleged ties to a left-leaning underground political party.

According to a Gallup Korea survey released earlier in the day, 61 percent of the respondents said Yong was unfit for the job, while 13 percent considered her suitable.

A presidential official earlier said it was necessary to allow the nominee to explain herself during the confirmation hearing before making a decision on her appointment.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung reaffirmed such a stance Friday, saying, "Cheong Wa Dae's position is that Yong should be given a chance to explain herself to the public," adding that the presidential office is also listening to the people's voices.

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