Minister nominee for gender equality and family Yong Hye-in said only that she would "explain in detail at the confirmation hearing" regarding calls from the ruling and opposition parties and civic groups for her to resign her proportional-representation seat.
Yong met with reporters on the way to work on the 3rd at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA) in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and stated accordingly.
Yong did not answer questions such as, "Is it true that not stepping down from the seat is because of state subsidies for political parties?"
The previous day, when Yong first reported to the confirmation hearing preparation office, Yong said, "I know there are many concerns and worries," but added in effect that Yong would prepare well for the hearing and explain Yong's position.
As Yong broke with precedent and did not bend on keeping the proportional-representation seat even after being appointed Minister, criticism has been pouring in from political circles.
In particular, voices of concern about "fairness" are emerging even within the ruling camp. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also appeared on "Democratic Party TV" that day and said, "There is a need to think it over while respecting, as they are, the public's various voices and judgments."
The civic group Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice also criticized in a statement the previous day, saying, "Holding a concurrent seat as a lawmaker is an act that betrays even the minimum political duty owed to voters."