The Basic Income Party said it will continue to call for Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, to hold the post while keeping her seat in the National Assembly, even as questions mount over her nomination. Allegations that the party is run as a family enterprise surfaced after her husband, Park Ki-hong, was elected to the new leadership as a supreme council member, but the party said Yong should make her case directly to the public at her confirmation hearing.
The party wrapped up its nationwide internal elections for the second half of the year on the 7th, choosing former co-leader Oh Jun-ho as its new chair. Running unopposed, Oh won with 93.89% of the vote. Elected as supreme council members were party spokesperson Noh Seo-young with 35.16%, incumbent supreme council member Shin Ji-hye with 28.50%, and Park Ki-hong, the party's deputy secretary-general for strategic planning, with 20.85%.
Park's election came as the "family party" controversy gained traction following Yong's nomination. Opposition parties have taken issue with the fact that Yong and her husband have both held senior posts within the party. Noh said the election result "was not the work of anyone's influence but solely the choice of party members and delegates."
Despite the controversies, the party made clear it believes Yong should keep both roles. "From the party's position, we are continuing to ask that she serve in both capacities," Shin said at a news conference the same day. "We understand she is preparing diligently for the confirmation hearing, in line with the view that she should explain herself to the public in detail."
The dispute centers on whether a proportional representation lawmaker should also serve as a cabinet minister. The Basic Income Party has emphasized the purpose of coalition politics, arguing that Yong must retain her seat so a minor party keeps a voice in the National Assembly. "Our position remains unchanged, in the sense that minor parties are needed in the Assembly," Noh said.
On the questions surrounding Park's own appointments, the party pointed to procedure. Responding to claims that Yong alone decided to name him secretary-general in the party's early days, it said the appointment was discussed during the founding preparations and approved by the national committee. It also denied that he received preferential treatment in taking parental leave and receiving support payments, noting that Yong was not party leader at the time.
The party also rejected assertions that Yong had nominated herself for a seat. It said the 2020 general election nomination went through votes by dues-paying members and an electoral college, and that the 2024 nomination went through eligibility screening for public office candidates, candidate review, and deliberation and voting procedures.
The party said it would also set the record straight on party dues and the alleged shadow organization. It said Yong paid roughly 600 million won ($430,000) in regular and special party dues over the past six years, money intended for producing election materials and covering candidate deposits at a time when party finances were strained. Oh, the new chair, said the shadow organization allegations were "entirely untrue."
The party said scrutiny of Yong should take place at the confirmation hearing. With the rival parties yet to agree on a schedule, Shin said, "We urge them to settle on a hearing date as soon as possible." Final explanations on the disputes raised, including whether Yong will hold both posts, are expected at the hearing.
