Yoon Hye-in, a member of the Basic Income Party, has been nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family in a cabinet reshuffle on August 30, but controversy surrounding her has spread within the ruling party. Criticism continues over her intention to maintain her position as a proportional representative while serving as a minister, leading to a noticeable lack of public support from the Democratic Party.
According to Yonhap News on September 4, the Democratic Party did not make any public statements regarding Yoon during its Supreme Council meeting. In contrast, party leaders actively defended Kim Seung-won, the Minister of Justice nominee facing allegations of soliciting approval for a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial.
The Democratic Party's distancing from Yoon is attributed to declining public opinion. A recent Gallup survey revealed that President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has dropped to 40%, the lowest since his inauguration, with support among voters in their 20s at 25% and in their 30s at 31%.
Yoon, the only lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, has stated that she intends to keep her proportional representative position after being appointed as minister. She cited concerns that resigning from her legislative role could render the Basic Income Party a non-parliamentary entity.
Under the National Assembly Act, it is permissible for lawmakers to concurrently serve as ministers. However, it has been customary for proportional representatives to resign from their legislative positions upon being appointed as ministers, allowing the next candidate on the list to take over.
Yonhap News reported that voices within the Democratic Party are calling for Yoon's voluntary resignation. One senior party member expressed concern in a phone interview, stating, "Wouldn't it be better for her to resign quickly? How will the support from voters in their 20s and 30s be affected if she is appointed as a minister?"
However, the party leadership maintains that it must respect President Lee's authority to appoint. A party official noted, "While some believe it would be best for the nominee to resign from her legislative position, it is ultimately her decision since the parties are different."
The opposition party's criticism is intensifying. According to Yonhap News, the People Power Party has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Yoon's nomination, using terms like 'privileged individual' and raising questions about her qualifications by referencing her past activities and controversies surrounding the Basic Income Party.
On the morning of September 4, as Yoon arrived at her office to prepare for the confirmation hearing, she did not respond to reporters' questions about her stance on maintaining her legislative position. She also remained silent regarding the criticisms surrounding the Basic Income Party and the calls for her resignation.
Previously, Yoon stated, "I am listening to various opinions and concerns," indicating her focus on preparing for the confirmation hearing.
The upcoming confirmation hearing is expected to address not only the qualifications of the ministerial nominee and various allegations but also the political and institutional controversies surrounding the concurrent legislative position.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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