Yong Hye-in reported over alleged use of 300 million won in party dues to pay her husband

Ministerial nominee Yong Hye-in has been reported to police over allegations that political funds paid to her party as special dues ultimately helped pay her husband’s salary.

Lee Jong-bae, a former People Power Party Seoul city councilor, said he filed the complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the morning of the 3rd. He alleges that Yong appointed her husband, identified by the surname Park, as a paid official of the Basic Income Party and then paid roughly 300 million won of her political funds to the party under the label of special party dues.

Lee cited political-fund records Yong submitted to the National Election Commission for 2020 through 2024. The records show total political-fund spending of 503,959,785 won, including 293.6 million won, or 58.3 percent, transferred to the party as special dues. Lee argued that if Yong used that arrangement to provide an economic benefit to her husband, the spending could qualify as an improper use of political funds under Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Political Funds Act.

The complaint is not the only allegation facing Yong. The civic group Citizens’ Livelihood Countermeasures Committee reported her to police the previous day on suspicion of abuse of authority and violating the Public Official Election Act. The group alleges that Yong used an airport VIP lounge with family members, contrary to Korea Airports Corporation rules limiting such facilities to official duties. It also alleges that she posted a video wearing clothing bearing the party’s name ahead of local elections.

“

If the special party dues were used to provide an economic benefit to her husband, spending political funds in that form could be deemed an improper use and may violate Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Political Funds Act.