A civic group filed a police complaint against Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, who was nominated as Minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, on charges including abuse of authority.
The Committee for the Livelihoods of Ordinary People (Seominwi) said on the 2nd that it filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Yong on charges including abuse of authority and violation of the Public Official Election Act.
Seominwi noted that when Yong visited Gimpo Airport in March 2023 for a family trip to Jeju Island, her use of the airport's VIP lounge with family members constitutes suspected abuse of authority. It said the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) regulations for operating the VIP lounge allow its use only while performing official duties.
Seominwi argued, "Even if Yong had been on official duty, parents are not eligible users."
Seominwi also wrote in the complaint that Yong violated the Public Official Election Act. It said Yong posted on social media (SNS) a video filmed in front of the campaign office of Park Eun-young, a Basic Income Party candidate in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, in May ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections (the June 3 local elections), while wearing clothing bearing the party name, which it argues violates the Public Official Election Act.
The current Public Official Election Act bars electioneering before the official campaign period except by methods prescribed by law. In particular, from 120 days before election day, it prohibits indicating on clothing and the like any content that could suggest a party name or a candidate's name.