Yong Hye-in Gives No Answer on Whether She Will Keep Proportional Seat

Yong Hye-in avoided questions about her parliamentary seat as she arrived at the National Assembly on August 31, keeping open the possibility of serving as minister while remaining a proportional-representation lawmaker.

Asked about her nomination as candidate for minister of gender equality and family, Yong said, “I will discuss it with the spokesperson team and make a statement.” When reporters then asked about the controversy over holding both positions, she entered her office without answering.

“

I will discuss it with the spokesperson team and make a statement.

Yong had told Dong-A Ilbo the previous day that she understood there was no rule banning a lawmaker from simultaneously serving as a minister. She said, “I understand there is no regulation prohibiting concurrent service as a minister,” and added, “After discussing it with the ministry, I will organize my position and announce it through the ministry.”

“

I understand there is no regulation prohibiting concurrent service as a minister.

Article 29 of the National Assembly Act permits lawmakers to serve concurrently as members of the Cabinet. However, proportional representatives have traditionally resigned when joining the government, allowing the next candidate on the list to take the seat and limiting any gap in parliamentary representation.

Yong is reportedly weighing the political effect on the Basic Income Party, which would become an extra-parliamentary party if she resigned. If she steps down, former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Secretary-General Ko Jae-soon would inherit the seat through the list. By contrast, the Opposition Fatherland Innovation Party said Kim Hyeong-yeon would succeed lawmaker Lee Hae-min after Lee’s appointment as senior presidential secretary for AI and future planning.

“

After discussing it with the ministry, I will organize my position and announce it through the ministry.