People Power Party Tells Yong Hye-in to Resign Over Dual-Office Controversy

The People Power Party has demanded that Yong Hye-in resign over the controversy surrounding her simultaneous parliamentary and ministerial roles.

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Is dual-office privilege a new precedent, and is a husband serving as a senior party official a new path?

Senior spokesperson Park Chung-kwon attacked the nominee in a statement, asking whether holding both offices represented a “new precedent” and whether having a husband serve as a senior party official represented a “new path.” He called on Yong to resign immediately.

Park argued that a proportional-representation lawmaker who enters the cabinet should give up the parliamentary seat so the next person on the list can succeed to it. He described that as a basic matter of common sense and decency, and said presenting a ministry appointment without giving up the seat as a “new precedent” amounted to deceiving the public.

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Do not insult the people. Resign immediately.

He also accused Yong of arrogance for describing scrutiny of her qualifications as excessive criticism of a young female lawmaker, saying that response inflamed gender conflict. Park further cited media reports that many regional offices of the Basic Income Party operate at farms or private homes, and accused the party of hastily creating “ghost regional parties” without visible signs or staff while receiving large state subsidies.

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Presenting a ministerial appointment without giving up the privilege as a ‘new precedent’ is clearly deceiving the people.