Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, sidestepped a question on the 2nd about whether she will give up her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly, saying she would "organize my thoughts through the confirmation hearing process and share them with the public." With criticism of holding both a proportional seat and a ministerial post coming from within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea as well as from opposition parties, the controversy surrounding the nominee is expected to persist through her confirmation hearing.
Arriving for her first day at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Youth Work Agency in Seoul's Seodaemun District, Yong told reporters asking whether she would resign her seat: "I am well aware that a hearing is not simply a space for speaking alone but a space for communicating with the public." She added, "I will prepare well for the hearing so that we can exchange many views in that process."
Asked again whether she was willing to choose between the ministerial post and her Assembly seat even before the hearing, she said, "I will organize my thoughts in the process of communicating with the public through the hearing." Asked whether her existing position of keeping her seat remained unchanged, she said, "I will let my earlier remarks stand."
Immediately after her nomination, Yong had said she would retain her proportional seat even if appointed minister, citing reasons including that the Basic Income Party would lose its representation in the Assembly if she resigned. Under current law, a lawmaker may concurrently serve as a member of the cabinet. But calls for her to step down have come not only from the People Power Party but also from within the ruling bloc, citing the precedent of past ministers who came in as proportional representatives resigning their seats.
On the dual-role controversy, Yong said, "I am listening closely to the many different views and the considerable worries and concerns that exist," adding, "I will prepare for the hearing so that I can present my position and my thinking to the public in a well-prepared way."
Addressing concerns that protection for victims of gender-based crimes such as sexual violence could weaken after prosecutors' investigative powers are abolished, she said, "I am aware that many women are concerned about the abolition of supplementary investigation powers," while adding, "I understand that the abolition of supplementary investigation powers is proceeding within the broader framework of separating investigation and prosecution between the police and the prosecution."
She continued, "I understand that a department dedicated to supplementary investigation powers will be established at the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency," adding, "Drawing on my four years of experience on the Public Administration and Security Committee, I will listen broadly to voices on the ground and consult closely so that victims' rights are not infringed during supplementary and renewed investigations."
On the life partnership bill she previously sponsored, she said, "Family forms are already becoming more diverse, and I drafted the life partnership bill after meeting people who are not protected within the framework of the family system," adding, "I will closely analyze the changing realities of families and work to ensure that social discussion proceeds smoothly."
On anti-discrimination legislation, she said, "These are bills proposed to keep people from being discriminated against for unreasonable reasons in the spaces or organizations they belong to." She added, "As minister, I believe my role is to help bring the process of social deliberation to maturity. I will meet a wide range of people, including civil society and religious communities, and gather their views."
On the debate over criminalizing non-consensual sexual intercourse, she said, "Because the elements of the current rape statute are defined as violence and intimidation, it fails to capture the complex and varied forms of sexual violence," adding, "There is a need to reflect more realistic elements in the rape statute, and I will consult with relevant ministries to find the best approach."
She expressed support for introducing medication abortion. "Even before the law is revised, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has held the position that it should be introduced for the sake of women's right to health," Yong said. "I agree as well." She added, "If I am given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will swiftly complete its introduction and, together with the National Assembly, close the legislative gap."
