Rep. Yong Hye-in (Basic Income Party) said she will retain her National Assembly seat if she is appointed Minister of Gender Equality and Family [1].
The decision challenges political conventions in South Korea, where ministers typically resign from legislative roles to avoid conflicts of interest.
Yong said Monday during her commute to the National Assembly in Seoul that she would retain the seat [1]. The announcement came one day after her nomination for the ministerial post [1].
While South Korean law permits a minister to hold a parliamentary seat, the move has drawn criticism from the broad women's rights camp [1]. Opponents said that holding both positions simultaneously is politically inappropriate, regardless of its legality [1].
Yong said the decision is rooted in the specific needs of her party. The Basic Income Party cannot replace her through proportional-representation succession [1]. Because she cannot be replaced, she intends to maintain her legislative role to ensure the party's presence in the assembly [1].
When questioned further about the arrangement, Yong said she would provide additional details after discussing the matter with party spokespeople [1].
The debate over her dual role follows the 2024 general election [1], which shaped the current composition of the National Assembly. The Basic Income Party's limited number of seats makes the loss of a single representative a significant blow to their legislative influence [1].
“I will maintain my assembly seat even if I become minister.”
This situation highlights a tension between legal rights and political norms in South Korea. While Yong Hye-in is utilizing a legal loophole to protect her party's fragile legislative footprint, the backlash from women's rights groups suggests that her appointment may be clouded by controversy before she even takes office. The conflict underscores the precarious position of small parties in the proportional representation system.
