Ahn Cheol-soo on Yong Hyein's Minister Nomination: "Appointing a 'Merchant of Hate' Will Be a Self-Destructive Move for the Administration"

Claims "Stoking Gender Conflict Among Young Men and Women"

Criticizes Plan to Retain Proportional Representation Seat

Ramps Up Attacks on Government Over Pardons and Judiciary Appointments

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, has called for the withdrawal of Yong Hyein's nomination as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, saying, "Appointing a 'merchant of hate' as a minister will be a self-destructive move for President Lee Jae-myung's administration." Assemblyman Ahn, who has recently criticized several decisions by the Lee Jae-myung administration—including those related to real estate, pardons, and appointments in the judiciary—escalated his criticism further by bringing up past remarks by nominee Yong on gender issues.

On the 31st, Assemblyman Ahn stated on his social media, "Yong is someone who enjoyed continuous proportional representation thanks to the Democratic Party’s arrangement—a true silver spoon. Now, even as she is slated to become a minister, she insists on keeping her proportional representative seat and behaving like an aristocrat." Ahn particularly focused on criticizing Yong’s past remarks on gender issues.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is expressing his position on the party's organizational reinforcement special committee reform at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He referenced the time in 2021 when Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-ki proposed legislation to recognize military service members as 'persons of national merit' and to reflect their service experience in hiring and promotions. He pointed out that, at that time, Yong criticized these efforts, arguing that "improving the treatment of soldiers by reducing opportunities for young women is neither substantive nor anything other than outright gender discrimination." She asserted that the priority should be on improving the conditions of military service itself, rather than introducing a military service bonus point system.

Assemblyman Ahn also brought up Yong's use of the expression '5.5 trillion' during a protest against former President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2024, labeling it as a misandrist remark. He continued, "She has fueled conflict between men and women in their twenties and thirties through all sorts of rhetoric." Ahn went on to say, "She will not be a Minister of Gender Equality but a Minister of Gender Discrimination, churning out divisive regulations and mishandling taxpayers' money," and added that, "It is certain to provoke public anger and leave the ruling party unable to mount any response." He demanded that President Lee withdraw Yong’s nomination, warning, "If you go against public sentiment, the first digit in your approval ratings will soon become a 2."

Yong Hyein, Floor Leader of the Basic Income Party and nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is arriving at her office in the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the previous day, the 30th, President Lee implemented a second reshuffle of his cabinet, replacing six ministers and nominating Assemblywoman Yong as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. If confirmed through a National Assembly hearing, Yong—born in 1990—would be the first minister born in the 1990s. According to current law, sitting lawmakers can serve concurrently as ministers. However, in the past, when proportional representation lawmakers were appointed as ministers, many of them gave up their seats to allow the next person on their party list to succeed them. It is reported that, given the Basic Income Party holds only one seat in the Assembly, Yong will likely retain her lawmaker position even after her appointment as minister.

The Office of the President described Yong as "a young, two-term lawmaker who has strongly advocated for the marginalized, including efforts to prevent digital sex crimes and create conditions for work-family balance," adding, "She is the right person to go beyond generational and gender conflicts and pursue gender equality for all with the younger generation." Upon her nomination, Yong Hyein stated, "Gender equality for all is a constitutional duty to protect the life and dignity of the people, and I will bring about real, tangible change that everyone can recognize and feel."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Ahn has recently intensified his criticism of the Lee Jae-myung government. On August 7, he criticized the President for giving up on housing supply, citing the administration’s poor housing construction performance in Seoul. On August 15, he directly asked President Lee if he regretted the Liberation Day special pardons for figures such as former leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, Cho Kuk. On August 29, he commented on the President’s decision to return the Supreme Court Chief Justice’s judicial nomination, declaring, "The lame-duck period has begun."

He has also raised his voice on internal party issues. Assemblyman Ahn recently referred to the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction demanding Han’s return to the party as "the re-entry movement" and argued they should be excluded from the candidate selection process for the next general election. He also stressed party members’ rights in debates over Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk’s party-member-centered party direction.

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