On the 10th, Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in held a press conference at the National Assembly and refused to withdraw, saying, "It is a principle that the concurrent service of a lawmaker as a member of the Cabinet is permitted by law."
At the press conference that day, nominee Yong said, "Since my nomination, absurd allegations have been reported as if they had substance, and even when we refute them, they are not reported," and added, "We said we would prepare to explain faithfully up to the confirmation hearing, but as of today we have not even set a hearing date." Yong, seemingly determined, spent about 40 minutes addressing one by one the suspicions raised about herself and the Basic Income Party, and rebutted them.
On the most contentious issue of concurrently serving as a proportional representative lawmaker and a Minister, Yong argued that the law allows it. Yong said, "As a small parliamentary party with one seat, we want to take responsibility and carry out political activities to present alternatives through the small speaker we can secure," and added, "We should also read the intent of the alliance that nominated an opposition incumbent lawmaker."
She also pushed back against criticism that the Basic Income Party pockets state subsidies without proper activity. On listing the Chungnam provincial party chair's home as the office, Yong said, "The National Election Commission approved it, so calling it a ghost party is unfair." She then aimed at the People Power Party, saying, "If a party that received hundreds of billions of won in state subsidies and played the role of doorkeeper for the ringleader of insurrection calls the Basic Income Party a parasite party, does that make it true?" and added, "Between the People Power Party, which relies on state subsidies for 35.7% of its annual total revenue, and the Basic Income Party, which receives only 1.6% of its annual total revenue from state subsidies, which one is the parasite party?"
She also appealed her frustration over suspicions that the party is a family outfit because her husband held a party post. Nominee Yong said, "My spouse worked at the party for 6 years and 2 months from June 2020 to August 2026, and the salary received during this period was about 160 million won," adding, "Excluding the parental leave period, the monthly average is around 2.5 million won."
Yong said, "A National Assembly intern secretary earns roughly 2.5 million won a month; what is the problem with a 40-year-old worker receiving about 2.5 million won a month from a company for five years?"
Regarding the controversy over an underground organization within the Labor Party, Yong said, "The eight characters 'ban on abortion, premarital chastity' have never been my conviction, nor have they ever governed my life," and added, "The problematic private faction disbanded itself in 2017 due to reasons such as a sexist culture, a hierarchical culture, and lack of capability, and I assess that as the right outcome."
She also refuted allegations that various assignments were funneled to party members or party affiliates. Nominee Yong said, "How is it steering election work to insiders when it was a lawful contract made within the expenditure limit, comprehensively considering the price and delivery time for campaign materials?"
In addition, nominee Yong actively rebutted reports about women's political development funds, the operation of a policy research institute, and tax savings through paying party dues.
Nominee Yong said, "The People Power Party today refused to negotiate a schedule for the confirmation hearing and did not hold the scheduled full committee meeting," adding, "It can only be seen as their conjectures and patchwork being rebutted before the public. If not, then please hold the confirmation hearing."
After reading her prepared statement, nominee Yong also answered reporters' questions. Regarding a poll showing that negative public opinion about her appointment as Minister reaches 70%, she answered, "If I become a Minister, I must do all the roles a Minister should, communicate on the ground, and engage with stakeholders to bring about changes in people's daily lives; that is the responsibility of a public official. Separate from public opinion on my appointment, it is too much of a logical leap to conclude that I would be unable to perform such roles if I became a Minister." She added, "I believe the appointing authority nominated me with certain expectations, and I called today's briefing to explain fully to the public at the hearing in order to carry out the role entrusted to me."
Nominee Yong said, "I am listening carefully and reflecting deeply on the public's grave concerns and views," adding, "What I said today was a rebuttal to the reports that have come out so far."