As debate continues over the propriety of concurrently serving as a proportional-representation National Assembly member and Minister surrounding Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in, the Basic Income Party said there are also parts that reflect prejudice against proportional-representation lawmakers and excessive criticism of young women, adding that a precedent for concurrently serving as a proportional-representation lawmaker and Minister is being created in the process of taking on and trying a new path.
Basic Income Party Supreme Council members Kim Jin-seo, Noh Seo-young and Shin Ji-hye held a press conference on the afternoon of the 7th and stated their position on various suspicions raised regarding the party. When asked right after the briefing about the fairness of concurrently serving as a proportional-representation lawmaker and Minister raised about nominee Yong, Shin said there is prejudice against proportional-representation lawmakers and excessive criticism of young women, adding that the nomination as Minister is the result of the context of coalition politics and legislative activities that have advanced gender equality and a dignified life for all.
Shin added that while many say there has been no prior case related to concurrent service, a new path requires new challenges and attempts for a precedent to be made.
On the issue of the nominee Yong's course of action, including whether to resign her Assembly seat, the party is also calling for concurrent service and says it will seek to persuade the public through the confirmation hearing. Shin said, from the party's standpoint, we are asking nominee Yong to concurrently serve, adding that the presidential office has also conveyed the view that it would like the public to be fully persuaded during the confirmation hearing process, and that preparations for the hearing are being made accordingly.
However, the Basic Income Party drew a line regarding the alleged connection between the party and the so-called "Under Organization" activity, in which nominee Yong was said to have condoned sexist guidelines. The party's position is that it and the group are unrelated.
Noh, a Supreme Council member, said, I can say with certainty that the Basic Income Party has no connection whatsoever with the unofficial organization, adding that matters related to the nominee personally will be explained in detail at the confirmation hearing.
Meanwhile, the confirmation hearing for nominee Yong is expected to be held on the 18th or the 22nd. The specific schedule will be decided through consultations between the ruling and opposition parties.