Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in [Newsis]
Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in [Newsis]

Police have questioned Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in as a suspect on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station summoned Yong on Oct. 27 and questioned her over alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, the Political Funds Act and the Political Parties Act, according to Chosun Biz on Tuesday.

A civic group, the Committee for the Livelihood of Ordinary Citizens, had filed a complaint alleging that Yong violated the Public Official Election Act by filming a video in front of the campaign office of Basic Income Party candidate Park Eun-young in May, ahead of the June 3 local elections, while wearing clothing bearing the party's name and posting it on social media.

The group argued that a non-candidate wearing clothing displaying a party name to conduct campaign activities during the 120-day period before election day through election day itself runs afoul of the Public Official Election Act.

Yong also faces separate allegations. The group claimed that Yong violated Korea Airports Corporation's internal operating rules — which restrict use of VIP lounges to official duties — by using the VIP lounge at Gimpo Airport with family members before departing on a trip to Jeju Island on March 9, 2023.

Former People Power Party Seoul city council member Lee Jong-bae filed a complaint in September alleging that Yong appointed her husband as a paid party official of the Basic Income Party and then paid 293.6 million won ($219,000) in special party dues to the party, a portion of which was subsequently paid back as her husband's salary — an arrangement Lee characterized as a form of indirect personal enrichment.

Police are understood to have prioritized the election law violation over other charges, including the Political Funds Act violation, given that the statute of limitations on the Public Official Election Act case expires Dec. 3.

Yong was nominated as minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in August but withdrew her candidacy two weeks later amid multiple allegations, including controversy over holding a proportional representation seat while serving in a concurrent role.


husn7@heraldcorp.com