South Korea gender minister nominee reiterates intent to keep Assembly seat

"The law allows lawmakers to concurrently serve as Cabinet members," she said during a press conference at the National Assembly. 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 currently the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, earlier said she would keep her Assembly seat even if she becomes the minister, noting that her party would become a non-parliamentary party should she resign as lawmaker. She added that she accepted the nomination because she believed working toward achieving gender equality was more important than her personal gain.

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), meanwhile, remain at odds over the date of Yong's confirmation hearing. A meeting of the National Assembly's gender equality and family committee, which was scheduled for early Thursday to discuss the adoption of Yong's confirmation hearing report, was canceled amid disagreements over who should be summoned for the hearing. Yong expressed regret that a date for the hearing has not been set yet, saying she had been preparing for the confirmation hearing to address all allegations surrounding her.