Seoul: Yong Hye-in, who was nominated as South Korea's gender minister, has stepped down following calls from the ruling party to make a decision on her position. Yong, a member of the Democratic Party, has chosen to keep her parliamentary seat while withdrawing from the ministerial nomination, marking her as the fourth failed nominee for the position.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision comes after ongoing pressure from both the ruling party and the public, which reportedly contributed to a decline in the party's approval ratings. Yong's resignation shifts the focus to Kim Seung-won, who is now a key figure in the political landscape following Yong's departure. The development has been widely covered by major Korean dailies, reflecting the significance of the event in the country's political atmosphere.
Yong's decision to step down was made ahead of her confirmation hearing, maintaining her position in parliament but leaving the vacancy in the gender ministry. The situation highlights the political challenges faced by nominees in the current government, as well as the increasing scrutiny from both political parties and the public. The case also underscores the complex dynamics within South Korea's ruling party as it navigates internal and external pressures.