Police Question Whistleblower Over Yong Hyein's Alleged Private Use of State Subsidies

Lee Jongbae Raises Suspicion:
"Did 300 Million Won in Special Party Dues Go to Husband's Salary?"

The police have launched an investigation into suspicions that Yong Hyein, a member of the Basic Income Party who has been nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, made private use of state subsidy funds and other related allegations.

Yong Hyein, a lawmaker of the Basic Income Party who was nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is leaving the press conference room after announcing her position at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul summoned former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Lee Jongbae for questioning as the complainant starting at 2 p.m. on the 10th. Previously, former council member Lee filed complaints against Assemblywoman Yong and her party associates on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act, as well as embezzlement and breach of duty in the course of work. These allegations stem from suspicions that the Basic Income Policy Research Institute, under the Basic Income Party, used state subsidies received from the central party between August 2022 and July 2023 as payment for rent and management fees for the office of Alba Solidarity, a civic group located in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Former council member Lee also pointed out issues regarding the party commissioning policy research projects to individuals, separate from the institute, and paying service fees ranging from 4.5 million to as much as 14 million won per case. Lee argued that, as many of the surnames of those commissioned overlapped with party members, it was necessary to verify whether the research had actually been conducted and whether the research contracts served as a means of providing money to specific party officials.

He additionally raised concerns over the process in which Assemblywoman Yong paid a substantial portion of her political funds to the party as special party dues, and her spouse received a salary from the party. According to documents submitted to the National Election Commission, Assemblywoman Yong spent about 500 million won in political funds from 2020 to 2024, and of this, approximately 300 million won was paid out as special party dues. Her spouse, identified as Mr. Park, has reportedly worked as a paid party official in the Basic Income Party since 2020, receiving an average monthly salary close to 3 million won.

During a press conference held prior to his questioning as the complainant, former council member Lee stated, "There are reports that around 300 million won in special party dues was used for party operating expenses, which include personnel costs," adding, "It is a reasonable assumption that some of these funds could have been used for her husband's salary, and this should be clarified through the investigation." He further emphasized, "The cases reported are grave matters involving the taxpayers' hard-earned money. I urge that a thorough investigation be conducted to uncover the substantive truth, and that the accused be severely punished if any criminal charges are proven."

The Basic Income Party, in response to suspicions regarding the use of state subsidies for Alba Solidarity office expenses, explained, "This was a legitimate payment for the workspace actually used by the research institute," adding, "In accordance with the sublease agreement, the research institute covered about 30% of the total lease cost, including management fees."

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