Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, withdrew from consideration on the 13th, just three days after she defended herself against a series of allegations and vowed to see the process through. Criticism over holding a cabinet post while serving as a proportional representation lawmaker was followed by allegations involving a "family party" and an "underground organization," building sentiment within the ruling bloc that she should step aside. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is said to have personally called for a decision.
Yong said at a press conference at the National Assembly that day, "I intend to step down from the ministerial nomination as of today." The withdrawal came two weeks after she was named nominee for minister of gender equality and family on the 30th of last month. At a press conference on the 10th, she had declared she would push ahead, saying, "A National Assembly member holding a cabinet post is a principle permitted by law," but she failed to turn around negative public opinion.
Pressure from the Democratic Party over her position had a direct impact on her withdrawal, according to accounts. As negative opinion spread, particularly among younger voters, Kim is said to have urged Yong on the 12th to step down voluntarily, through Rep. Kim Tae-sun, his chief of staff.
Rep. Kim wrote on Facebook that day that while "the issue of holding a proportional representation seat concurrently may not be a legal violation, there were aspects that did not fully match the standards and sentiment of the public," saying he had conveyed the party leader's position. Yong said, "I judged that it would be realistically difficult to carry out the ministerial post at a time when even the ruling party is expressing concerns."
The opposition is pressing the presidential office over responsibility for vetting while stepping up its attacks on Kim Seung-won, the nominee for justice minister. The People Power Party said in a statement, "Yong Hye-in's resignation is only right, and Kim is next, the ultimate case in this personnel disaster."
Separately, Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential spokesperson, said after the withdrawal that day that the presidential office "will do everything possible in vetting and selection to appoint people who meet the standards of the public."
