Yong Hyein Voluntarily Resigns, Citing Ruling Party Concerns: "Difficult to Fulfill Cabinet Member Role" (Update)

Resigns from Candidacy at Press Conference on September 13

Criticizes "People Power Party's Mockery and Disparagement of Minority Parties... Distorted Media Reports"

Says, "Grateful for the President's Trust... Apologize for Not Fulfilling My Duties"

Candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family Yong Hyein has stepped down from her candidacy just 14 days after being nominated.

On the morning of September 13, Candidate Yong held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, "Along with my resolve as the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family in the Lee Jaemyung administration to build a gender-equal society for all, I am stepping down from my candidacy as of today."

Yong Hyein, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, held a press conference to voluntarily withdraw her candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Office on September 13, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Looking back on the moment of her nomination, Candidate Yong said, "The president's decision to nominate a 30-something opposition lawmaker as a cabinet member was likely intended to embody the spirit of solidarity within the democratic and progressive camp, and to accelerate the realization of a gender-equal society for all based on hands-on experience."

She also referenced the women, sexual minorities, youth, and victims of sexual crimes she has met over the past six years in her legislative work, stressing, "I wanted to proactively address gender-based violence and create a society that respects diverse families."

However, she criticized the past two weeks since her nomination, saying, "Instead of vetting the candidate, members of the People Power Party have continued to mock and disparage the difficult circumstances of minority parties, and maliciously distort the facts in the media."

She stated, "I waited and waited for the confirmation hearing. I wanted to clarify my stance before the public, because I had nothing to be ashamed of. But, in the face of unilateral fake information, I had no choice but to speak out first to deliver my sincerity."

She then addressed the criticism from some quarters that her actions at the press conference on September 10 were 'inappropriate for a cabinet member candidate,' saying, "That shortcoming is mine, and I accept it with humility."

Yong went on to reveal that the Democratic Party had requested a decision from her due to the lack of public consensus regarding holding both a proportional representative seat and a cabinet post, adding, "Given even the ruling party expressed concerns, I judged that it would be realistically difficult to fulfill the responsibilities of a cabinet member under such circumstances."

Candidate Yong formalized her resignation, stating, "I have decided that stepping down here and now is necessary for continuing the spirit of solidarity among the Democratic Party, Basic Income Party, and the broader democratic and progressive camp." She bowed her head, saying, "I am grateful for the President's trust and apologize for not fulfilling my duties."

Finally, she declared, "I will continue steadfastly on the path toward a gender-equal society for all and toward a basic income Korea. I will return to my roots and dedicate myself to legislative work with humility and maturity."

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