On the 13th at 11:30 a.m., Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in held a press conference at the National Assembly and said she would step down from the nominee post. It came two weeks after President Lee Jae-myung named her as the nominee on the 30th.
Yong said, "The Democratic Party conveyed that while it respects the circumstances facing the nominee and the Basic Income Party, given that there is not broad public consensus on concurrently serving as Minister and lawmaker, it wants the nominee to make a decision."
She added, "Knowing that intent, I too deliberated deeply," and said, "A Cabinet member is a position that should organically link and lead cooperation between the National Assembly and the government, but given that even the ruling party is expressing concern, I judged it realistically difficult to carry out that role."
She went on, "I also judged that stopping here is necessary to carry on the spirit of solidarity among the Democratic Party, the Basic Income Party, and the democratic progressive camp."
After her nomination, Yong drew criticism for lacking clear achievements related to the women's movement, unlike incumbent Minister Won Min-kyong. She also served as No. 2 on the proportional representation list via a satellite party of the Democratic Party, and her statement that she would not resign her proportional representation seat after being appointed Minister stirred controversy. Critics said it might be an attempt to keep the party's annual 1.1 billion won in state subsidies.
In addition, Yong's husband, Park Gi-hong, who has held key posts such as secretary-general and Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination since the early days of the Basic Income Party's founding, received a total of 123.66 million won in salary from the party over five years and was also elected to the supreme council, drawing criticism that they were running a "family income party."
Amid these allegations, Yong called an emergency press conference on the 10th as well but said she had no intention of resigning. However, as the various favoritism allegations surrounding Yong led to falling support for the Lee Jae-myung administration among people in their 20s and 30s, it is assessed that the Democratic Party first suggested she voluntarily step down.