Yong Hye-in reported over allegation that political funds paid her husband’s salary

Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in, a candidate for minister of gender equality and family, has been reported to police over allegations that political funds were used to pay part of her husband’s salary.

Lee Jong-bae, a former Seoul city councilor from the People Power Party, said on September 3 that he filed the complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, alleging a violation of the Political Funds Act.

Lee claims Yong appointed her husband, identified only by his surname initial Park, as a paid party official. He alleges that political funds were then paid to the Basic Income Party under the label of special party dues, with part of the money returning to Park as salary.

According to figures Lee attributed to Yong’s political-fund disclosures to the National Election Commission, she used 503,959,785 won between 2020 and 2024. Lee said 58.3 percent of that amount, or about 293.6 million won, was paid to the Basic Income Party as special party dues.

He argued that if the special-dues arrangement was used to provide an economic benefit to Yong’s spouse, the spending could constitute political funds used for an improper purpose. The allegations have been referred to police for investigation.

“

If the special party dues were used to provide an economic benefit to the spouse, it would be political funds spent for an improper purpose.