'Holding proportional-rep seat and minister post simultaneously not illegal, but public sentiment considered'

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok speaks at the first meeting of the Political System Reform Task Force at the National Assembly on Sept. 3. [Yonhap]
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok speaks at the first meeting of the Political System Reform Task Force at the National Assembly on Sept. 3. [Yonhap]

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok urged Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, to voluntarily withdraw her candidacy, it has been confirmed. Yong announced her withdrawal Sunday.

Kim Tae-seon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and chief of staff to Kim, said Sunday on Facebook that he had conveyed Kim's recommendation — made after taking stock of public sentiment — to Yong directly.

Yong also confirmed at a press conference Sunday that she had received the withdrawal recommendation from the Democratic Party. "I was told by the Democratic Party: 'We respect the situation facing the nominee and the Basic Income Party, but given that there is not broad public consensus on holding a proportional-representative seat and a ministerial post simultaneously, we ask that the nominee make a decision,'" she said.

Kim said that while holding both a proportional-representative seat and a ministerial post is not legally prohibited, public opinion had to be taken into account.

"The dual-role issue is not a legal violation," he said, "but there were aspects that did not fully align with the public's expectations and sentiment."

He added that he hoped Yong would continue to play an important role in realizing the values of progressive politics, completing progressive solidarity and achieving electoral system reform.

The deteriorating public opinion following Yong's nomination is cited as a key factor behind Kim's decision to urge her withdrawal. Analysts say the drop in approval ratings among voters in their 20s and 30s — driven in part by a series of controversies over alleged preferential treatment after her nomination — weighed heavily on the decision.

There is also speculation that the party wanted to avoid dividing its resources ahead of confirmation hearings and instead focus its efforts on managing the hearing for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for justice minister.


quq@heraldcorp.com