Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung's nominee for the gender equality minister position, Rep. Yong Hye-in, has withdrawn from consideration following increasing criticism over several issues, including her intention to retain her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Rep. Yong, the only lawmaker from the minor Basic Income Party, announced her decision during a press briefing at the National Assembly, just two weeks after being nominated for the Cabinet role. Yong expressed, "I am withdrawing from consideration as gender equality minister today, putting aside the resolve I had as a nominee to help build a gender-equal society for all."
The presidential office acknowledged Yong's decision to step down and emphasized their commitment to thoroughly vetting and selecting a new candidate who aligns with public expectations. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung confirmed that efforts would be made to find a suitable replacement.
Yong had been facing pressure from both opposition parties and members of the ruling bloc to withdraw, as she had expressed her desire to maintain her parliamentary seat even if appointed to the Cabinet. While current laws allow lawmakers to serve concurrently as Cabinet members, it has been customary for proportional representatives to relinquish their seats, passing them to the next candidates on their party lists.
Yong argued that relinquishing her seat would leave the Basic Income Party without representation in the legislature, which was why she intended to hold both positions. Furthermore, she revealed that the Democratic Party had urged her to make a decision on her nomination, signaling a withdrawal of political support amidst declining approval ratings for President Lee, particularly among young adults in their 20s and 30s.
A recent Gallup Korea poll indicated that only 38 percent of respondents viewed President Lee's job performance positively, marking his lowest approval since taking office in June last year. The same survey, which included 1,000 participants aged 18 and older, found that 61 percent had a negative perception of Yong's nomination as gender equality minister.
Yong also faced allegations of nepotism related to her husband and purported connections to an underground left-leaning political group, adding to the controversies surrounding her nomination.
Source: Yonhap News Agency