Seoul: Gender Minister nominee Yong Hye-in said Wednesday she is aware of concerns over retaining her National Assembly seat to take her newly nominated position, sidestepping questions about calls for her to resign from parliament.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yong has faced growing calls to give up her parliamentary seat after she earlier stated her intention to keep her seat even after being appointed to the Cabinet position, a move that breaks from convention for proportional representatives. Traditionally, proportional representatives have relinquished their seats upon accepting Cabinet roles.
"I will well prepare for the confirmation hearing and deliver my thoughts after organizing them," Yong told reporters when questioned about the calls for her resignation as a lawmaker. "I am listening to the many worries and concerns," she added, acknowledging the public discourse surrounding her decision.
While lawmakers can serve simultaneously as members of the Cabinet, it has been customary for proportional representatives, such as Yong, to vacate their parliamentary seats upon taking Cabinet positions. This tradition ensures that the representative's party maintains its presence within the National Assembly.
Yong, who is the sole lawmaker of the Basic Income Party, emphasized that her resignation would result in her party losing its parliamentary representation, highlighting the significant impact her decision holds for her party's future.