Yong Hye-in promoted her working-mother image but voted against childcare support bill

Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party nominated to become South Korea’s gender equality and family minister, voted against an amendment to the Childcare Support Act last year.

The vote has drawn criticism because Yong has repeatedly highlighted her identity as a working mother, including by coming to the National Assembly with her child and a stroller.

According to the National Assembly’s legislative information system, Yong voted against the bill when it came before the plenary session on April 2 last year. The amendment passed with 237 votes in favor, two against and six abstentions among 245 lawmakers. Yong and Jeon Jong-deok of the Progressive Party were the two lawmakers who voted against it.

The amendment introduced a national qualification system for childcare workers and mandatory registration for private childcare service providers. It also created a legal basis for registered providers and private companies to receive authority to manage care workers, including checks of their criminal records.