Party 'urgently gathering opinions' inside and outside

Yong says she is 'listening carefully' to criticism

Yong Hye-in
Yong Hye-in

The Democratic Party of Korea said Friday it would take "a stern view from the public's perspective" on Yong Hye-in, the embattled nominee for minister of gender equality and family. Yong held a press conference Thursday to directly rebuff allegations over her dual role as a proportional-representation lawmaker and her ties to the Basic Income Party, but the party leadership struck a cautious tone the following day, in effect distancing itself from the nominee.

Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after a Supreme Council meeting at the North Chungcheong Province government building that the party was taking "a stern view from the public's perspective" on Yong. He added that leadership was "urgently gathering evaluations and opinions from inside and outside the party."

Park declined to say whether the party planned to convey its position to Cheong Wa Dae or whether the stance had been discussed at a closed-door Supreme Council session. "Please take it at face value," he said, offering no further elaboration.

On Thursday, Yong held a press conference lasting about 40 minutes, directly rebutting a range of allegations — including questions about simultaneously holding her National Assembly seat and the ministerial post, and about irregularities in the management of the Basic Income Party.

On the dual-role controversy in particular, she made clear she intended to keep her Assembly seat, saying the arrangement was "a principle permitted by law." She also pushed back against the broader allegations surrounding her, saying coverage was treating non-issues as if they were problems.

Arriving at her confirmation hearing preparation office Friday, Yong addressed the continuing criticism over the dual role. "I am listening carefully," she said. "I am well aware that there are various opinions about my political decisions."

However, she asked that matters related to policy and allegations raised by the People Power Party — including claims about a "family party" and a "ghost office" — be handled with a fair assessment of the facts. "Just as I have carried out my legislative work trusting only the people, I will continue to look to the people and explain in detail what needs to be explained," she said. Asked a follow-up question about the dual-role issue, she said she would "provide additional explanation on the necessary points at a later time."


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