Civic Group Files Complaint Against Yong Hye-in Over Family’s Airport VIP Lounge Use

A civic group has filed a complaint against Yong Hye-in, the Basic Income Party lawmaker nominated to lead the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, over two alleged violations.

The conservative-leaning Seomin Min생 Daechaek Committee said on the second that it reported Yong to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on suspicion of abuse of authority and violating the Public Official Election Act.

The group focused first on Yong’s use of Gimpo Airport’s VIP lounge with her parents and other family members before a trip to Jeju on March 9, 2023. It argued that the Korea Airports Corporation’s operating rules allow the lounge to be used only for official duties and do not permit the parents of eligible users to enter. On that basis, it claimed the use amounted to abuse of authority.

The committee also raised a separate allegation linked to the June 3 local elections. It said Yong recorded a video in May outside the Basic Income Party campaign office of candidate Park Eun-young in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, while wearing clothing printed with the party’s name, and uploaded it to social media.

The group said the Public Official Election Act bars anyone other than the candidate from wearing clothing bearing a party name from 120 days before election day until the election. Yong was preparing to answer reporters’ questions when she made her first appearance at an office in Seoul established for her confirmation hearing preparations.

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Under the Public Official Election Act, everyone except the election candidate cannot wear clothing printed with a party name from 120 days before election day until election day.