People Power Party also demands resignation of Kim Seung-won
The People Power Party (PPP), after Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in stepped down voluntarily on the 13th, urged President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party of Korea to issue a public apology for their failure to vet appointments, and also demanded the resignation of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won. The PPP described Yong's resignation as 'the natural outcome' and called for responsible action regarding the Blue House's personnel line as well.
In a Facebook post, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk pointed out that 'Nominee Yong gave up the ministerial post and chose to keep her proportional representation seat,' adding that 'in the end, she chose her party position over the ministry.'
Floor leader Jung Jeong-sik claimed on Facebook that "the extraordinary privileges and unfairness that Rep. Yong Hye-in enjoyed were provided by the Democratic Party," arguing that "in particular, Yong's second nomination was orchestrated by President Lee Jae-myung, who was then party leader." He called the situation "a clear vetting failure by the Blue House personnel line" and demanded that President Lee apologize before the public and take responsible measures regarding the vetting failure. He also urged the Democratic Party to declare a severance of its alliance with the Basic Income Party and to engage in discussions on abolishing the semi-proportional representation system.
In a statement, PPP chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon noted that "the withdrawal of Nominee Yong from the post by no means covers up the suspicions of illegal and irregular conduct accumulated thus far," stressing that an investigation must take place. She continued, "Does President Lee still fail to grasp anything even after watching Nominee Yong's disgraceful exit?" and said, "He must now take the public's warning seriously and immediately withdraw Kim's nomination."
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo wrote, "Sending away one person, Yong Hye-in, does not end the personnel debacle of the Lee Jae-myung government," adding, "Next, it is Nominee Kim's turn to resign." Rep. Na Kyung-won said, "This should not end with a resignation," calling on investigative authorities to conduct raids regarding the flow of Basic Income Party funds and the reality of its underground organizations.
After Nominee Yong's resignation, the cross-party skirmishes shifted to Nominee Kim. Ahead of Kim's confirmation hearing, suspicions related to the approval of a new drug clinical trial and the ensuing exchanges over explanations continue.
