Yong Hye-in, the floor leader of the Basic Income Party and nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, has expressed her intention to break with tradition and retain her position as a lawmaker. She cited concerns that resigning could harm the party due to its status as a minor party.
On August 31, Yong shared her thoughts on Facebook, stating, "I cautiously convey my position regarding the tradition of resigning from the lawmaker role." She added, "I am aware of various concerns that my resignation could be perceived as a privilege or benefit. If my resignation were solely a personal issue unrelated to the party's direction, I would not have contemplated it if I were not the only lawmaker from the Basic Income Party."
Yong emphasized, "Given the institutional gap in coalition politics, the Basic Income Party cannot succeed a proportional representation seat. If I resign as the party's only member in the National Assembly, it would face the difficulty of becoming a minor party." She also acknowledged, "I humbly ask for understanding regarding the challenges faced by minor parties, where personal decisions are inevitably linked to the party's direction."
Additionally, she stated, "I have already informed the party that I will not run for a proportional representation seat in the next general election," and expressed her commitment to prepare diligently for the confirmation hearing, listening to both encouragement and criticism from the public.
If Yong successfully passes the confirmation hearing, she will become the first minister born in the 1990s. While it is customary for lawmakers to resign from their positions when appointed as ministers, proportional representation lawmakers typically follow this practice. Yong was elected as a proportional representative from the Democratic Alliance, a satellite party of the ruling coalition, in the 22nd general election. If she resigns, former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Secretary General Ko Jae-soon could succeed her.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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