Lee Junseok: "Why Is President Lee Provoking 'Radfems' Again? You Might as Well Go Pro-North"…Backlash Over Yong Hyein's Nomination

Yong Hyein's Nomination as Minister of Gender Equality and Family Faces Opposition from the Opposition Bloc
Criticism Mounts from Lee Junseok, Han Donghoon, Kim Jaeseop, and Others
If Appointed, Yong Would Be the First Minister Born in the 1990s

Criticism has been mounting, particularly from opposition parties, over President Lee Jae-myung's decision to nominate Yong Hyein, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Lee Junseok, a member of the Reform Innovation Party, commented, "President Lee is swallowing pufferfish poison, and the country will once again be swept up in the resulting pain."

In June 2023, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, presented a letter of appointment as the advisory group leader of the Basic Society Committee to Yong Hye-in, co-representative of the Basic Income Party, at the 'Metropolitan Basic Society Committee Chair Appointment Ceremony' held at the party's office in the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On August 30, Lee wrote on his Facebook page, "We just managed to deal with the hardcore feminists, so why stir the pot again?" This comment was interpreted in political circles as direct criticism of candidate Yong. Among the six newly announced ministerial nominees, Yong is generally regarded as the most outspoken on feminist issues.

Lee also shared a post from the Justice Party member board that read, "You might as well be pro-North Korea. What is Megal?" He commented, "This was posted on the Justice Party member board in 2016. I am appalled that, ten years later, the President insists on trying it himself. He might as well just side with North Korea."

Post uploaded on the Justice Party member board in 2016. Facebook capture

The post in question is believed to have been written in July 2016, when the Justice Party saw a wave of mass resignations. At the time, a voice actress who worked on the online game "Closers" sparked controversy by posting a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt supporting the radical feminist community "Megal" (Megalilia) on social media. In response, the game company replaced the voice actress's recordings.

The Justice Party’s Culture and Arts Committee issued a statement condemning the company's action, asserting that "political opinions cannot be grounds for limiting an individual's employment opportunities." Subsequently, the party's member board was flooded with posts accusing the party of supporting a hate community, and the incident led to a large number of withdrawal requests.

Han Donghun: "If this is not mere scapegoating, the nomination should be withdrawn"

Han Donghun, an independent lawmaker, also criticized Yong, describing her as "someone who actively supported the abolition of supplementary investigation, which opened the gates of hell for women and other social minorities who are more vulnerable to crime."

Han continued, "She led the push to introduce 'non-consensual sex offense' legislation, which would effectively shift the burden of proof to every accused person, surely resulting in more people being wrongfully accused."

He added, "The Minister of Gender Equality and Family must represent all citizens, not serve as a spokesperson for a particular ideology. If Yong becomes minister, whose job should be to mediate social conflicts, it will only heighten discord and confusion, contrary to the mission of the post."

Yong Hyein, a member of the Basic Income Party, held a press conference on the 6th at the National Assembly Communication Office together with the Participation Solidarity, proposing an amendment to the Assembly and Demonstration Act that allows small-scale gatherings to be held without notifying the National Police Agency. Photo by Yonhap News

Han also commented on reports that Yong would retain her lawmaker position even if appointed minister, asking, "Is she someone's heiress?" and adding, "So the historical and customary practice of proportional representation lawmakers resigning doesn't apply to her?"

Han stressed, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's mission is to dismantle unfairness and privilege, but candidate Yong is a symbol of both. If President Lee did not nominate her as a mere scapegoat, then he should withdraw the nomination before public anger grows any further."

Kim Jaeseop: "Yong Hyein is a proponent of the non-consensual sex offense law"

Kim Jaeseop, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out Yong's support for the non-consensual sex offense law. "With the abolition of supplementary police investigative powers and the lack of sufficient police resources, women's fear for their safety is already a reality," he said. "Yet the government has put Yong Hyein, a staunch advocate of the non-consensual sex offense law—which only lowers the threshold for criminal punishment based on after-the-fact judgment of 'consent'—in charge of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," Kim criticized.

He continued, "Yong has ignored the real safety concerns of women in danger and instead, through championing a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill, has branded men as potential perpetrators and stoked divisiveness. It seems they calculated that waging war against young men in their 20s could boost their sagging approval ratings, but the people are not that simple-minded."

The previous day, Yong was nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. If she is officially appointed following a confirmation hearing, she will become the first cabinet minister born in the 1990s.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.