[Full Text] Yong Hyein Resigns as Nominee: "Returning to My Roots to Focus on Legislative Work"

Yong Hyein, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, announced her voluntary withdrawal from the nomination on September 13. This decision comes 14 days after her nomination.

On this day, Yong disclosed that the Democratic Party of Korea had requested her to make a decision, citing a lack of public consensus regarding the simultaneous holding of the position of proportional representative and a cabinet post. Yong said, "Given that even the ruling party has expressed concerns, I believe it is realistically difficult to serve as a cabinet member under these circumstances."

Yong added, "With humility and maturity, I will devote myself to my legislative work," emphasizing her intention to continue efforts for gender equality and the realization of a foundational social system.

The following is the full text of Yong’s resignation statement.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Candidate Yong Hyein is bowing in greeting after finishing a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, where she announced her voluntary withdrawal from the candidacy. 2026.9.13 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

Hello, this is Yong Hyein, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

Today marks exactly two weeks since I was nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. I believe the President’s decision to nominate a member of the 30-something opposition party as a cabinet minister in the Citizens’ Sovereignty Government was aimed at reviving the spirit of solidarity within the democratic progressive camp, and at leveraging my hands-on experience to create a gender-equal society for all as quickly as possible.

I have constantly pondered what role is needed from the Minister of Gender Equality and Family in Korea today. During six years of legislative work, I met with many women, sexual minorities, youth, and victims and bereaved families of sex crimes. Thinking of them, there were so many things I wanted to achieve.

Determined that no more women should be lost, I wanted to take more proactive steps against gender-based violence, and to bring about changes that would ensure that everyone who lives and cares together is respected as a family. I also wanted to build a society where no one has to choose between work and childrearing, and where young people can freely envision their futures no matter the circumstances.

Above all, as someone who played a key role in the birth of the Citizens’ Sovereignty Government, I wanted to carry forward the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility for its success.

While it is a small party, I am truly grateful for the President's decision to entrust this new responsibility to me, as well as for the expectations placed in me and the Basic Income Party, with its clear vision and policies.

However, over the past two weeks, instead of a fair vetting process, People Power Party lawmakers engaged in endless ridicule and disparagement of the difficulties faced by minor parties. Meanwhile, some media outlets conducted maliciously distorted reports, postponing fact-checking and denying us the right of reply.

I waited and waited for the confirmation hearing. With nothing to hide, I wanted to answer to the public one by one. However, the People Power Party ultimately refused to set a date for the confirmation hearing. Amid a deluge of false information and speculation, I had no choice but to step forward and directly convey the truth and my sincerity to the public.

After the press conference, many people told me they finally learned the facts, their misunderstandings were cleared up, and offered words of encouragement and support for the future.

At the same time, I also received criticism that holding a press conference ahead of the confirmation hearing was inappropriate as a "cabinet nominee" rather than as a National Assembly member. This is my shortcoming, and I humbly accept it.

I accepted the cabinet nomination out of a commitment to achieving gender equality for all and the spirit of solidarity. Even now, I remain steadfast in my intention to resolve any remaining doubts through the confirmation hearing.

However, the Democratic Party conveyed their respect for the circumstances faced by both the nominee and the Basic Income Party, but requested that I make a decision myself, considering the limited public consensus on holding both a proportional representative seat and a cabinet post.

Understanding this, I too deliberated deeply.

The cabinet minister’s role is to organically connect the National Assembly and the administration and foster cooperation. Given the ruling party’s concerns, I judged that it would be realistically difficult to fulfill this role under these circumstances.

Furthermore, I concluded that stepping down here is necessary to carry forward the spirit of solidarity not only between the Democratic Party and the Basic Income Party, but also within the democratic progressive camp as a whole.

Accordingly, with my previous determination to create a gender-equal society for all as the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family under the Lee Jaemyung administration, I hereby step down from the nomination as of today.

I thank the President for entrusting me with this important role and apologize for not being able to fully fulfill that responsibility.

I bow my head in appreciation for the encouragement and support sent by the people I respect. I am sorry for not living up to your expectations to the very end. I will take every criticism of my shortcomings to heart with sincerity and humility.

I reaffirm my commitment to walk the path I promised as nominee—the path to realizing gender equality for all, and advancing toward a basic income society together with the Lee Jaemyung administration—steadfast and without wavering.

I will return to my original intentions, reflect on myself, and devote myself to legislative work with humility and maturity. With heartfelt sincerity and hope for the future, I will do my utmost to repay the people through genuine politics.

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