Key facts
- The Democratic Party (DP) will seriously consider controversy over gender minister nominee Yong Hye-in.
- DP spokesperson Park Sung-joon said the party is gathering assessments on the nomination.
- Yong intends to keep her proportional representation seat if appointed minister.
- A Gallup Korea poll found 61% of respondents believe Yong is unfit for the role.
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) said Friday it will "seriously" consider the controversy surrounding the nomination of Rep. Yong Hye-in as gender equality minister amid growing criticism. DP senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon stated that 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," Park told reporters. His remarks followed Yong's reiteration at a press conference that she intends to retain her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly even if appointed to the Cabinet. Current law permits lawmakers to serve as Cabinet members, but proportional representatives have traditionally relinquished their seats to join the Cabinet, allowing the next candidate on the list to take over.
Yong, the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, previously noted that her party would cease to have parliamentary representation if she resigned as a lawmaker. She has since faced criticism for her refusal to give up her Assembly seat, along with allegations of nepotism involving her husband and purported ties to a left-leaning underground political party.
According to a Gallup Korea survey released on the same day, 61 percent of respondents deemed Yong unfit for the position, while 13 percent found her suitable. A presidential official had previously stated that the nominee should be allowed to explain herself during the confirmation hearing before a final decision on her appointment is made.