South Korean lawmaker Yong Hye-in reported over airport VIP lounge use and election video

Yong Hye-in, nominated to become South Korea’s minister of Gender Equality and Family, has been reported to police over two separate allegations involving airport privileges and election campaigning.

The civic group Citizens’ Livelihood Countermeasures Committee said on Sept. 2 that it filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, alleging abuse of power and violations of the Public Official Election Act. One allegation concerns Yong’s use of a Gimpo Airport VIP lounge with her family during a trip to Jeju on March 9, 2023.

Rules governing Korea Airports Corporation’s VIP lounges reportedly limit their use to official duties. Even during official business, parents are not included among eligible users. After the incident became controversial, Yong posted an apology on social media, saying Korea Airports Corporation had approved the use and indicating that she did not know whether there was a procedural problem.

The complaint also concerns a video Yong posted on social media in mid-May, before the June 3 local elections. The video was filmed in front of the campaign office of Park Eun-young, a Basic Income Party candidate in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, while Yong wore clothing displaying the party name. The civic group asked police to examine whether the video violated election-law restrictions on wearing nameplates or other markings showing a party name during the 120 days before election day and through election day.