Office of the President on Potential Withdrawal of Yong Hyein's Nomination: "Nominee Should Have Chance to Explain at Hearing"

"No Prior Coordination with the Office of the President Regarding Announcement to Retain Assembly Seat"
"Listening to Diverse Voices of the Public"...Plan to Strengthen Vetting System
Confirmation Hearing Principle Maintained for Kim Seungwon No

On September 11, the Office of the President stated there has been "no change in the position that the nominee should have an opportunity to explain herself to the public" regarding the possibility of withdrawing the nomination of Yong Hyein, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Despite ongoing controversy surrounding the nominee, the administration reaffirmed its existing stance that she should be vetted through a parliamentary confirmation hearing rather than having her nomination immediately withdrawn. However, the Office of the President also emphasized that it is "listening to the diverse voices of the public," highlighting that they are closely monitoring the deteriorating public sentiment.

Yong Hyein, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, holds a press conference to announce her position at the National Assembly Communication Office on September 10, 2026. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

During a briefing following a senior secretariat and advisors' meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, Kang Yoojeong, Chief Spokesperson of the Office of the President, was asked about the possibility of withdrawing Yong's nomination. She responded, "It is the position of the Office of the President that ministerial nominees should have an opportunity to explain themselves to the public."

The spokesperson clarified that there had been no prior coordination between the Office of the President and Yong regarding her statement at the previous day's press conference, in which she announced that she would not resign from her National Assembly seat even if she is appointed as minister. Kang remarked, "The nominee's press conference is unrelated to the President’s overseas tour schedule" and added, "There was no separate discussion with us regarding this matter."

Even though the National Assembly has not yet set a date for Yong’s confirmation hearing, the Office of the President reiterated its principle of "confirmation hearing first, decision later." Kang stressed, "The Office of the President is always attentive to the voices of the people," and added, "It has consistently been our stance, and remains unchanged, that the nominee should be given an opportunity to offer explanations to the public."

Regarding criticism that recent nominees for ministerial positions may not have undergone sufficient vetting, Kang stated that the government would enhance its vetting system. She said, "It is difficult for the Office of the President to discuss the specifics of the personnel verification process," but explained, "Personnel appointments during the Lee Jae-myung administration are made through a system under the responsibility of the personnel committee chair." She continued, "We are making improvements to meet public expectations and will further strengthen the system going forward."

The presidential office maintained the same approach concerning Kim Seungwon, the nominee for Minister of Justice. When asked about Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressing a positive outlook on Kim’s nomination, Kang stated, "We have nothing to add regarding the party leader’s remarks."

She added, "Those who have been nominated for Cabinet positions should have sufficient opportunities during the confirmation hearings to fully explain their suitability for the role, their sense of duty, and any concerns that have been raised," stating that this position has not changed.

The Office of the President made a similar statement on September 7, noting that both nominee Kim and nominee Yong were "nominated through the personnel system under the responsibility of the personnel committee chair," affirming that the priority is vetting nominees through the confirmation hearing process. Although controversy continues to surround both nominees and internal pressure within the ruling party is mounting, the preference remains to proceed with the confirmation hearings and monitor public sentiment, rather than withdrawing the nominations.

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