Behind Yong Hye-in's Resignation Was a Broadcast Remark on 'Amendment'

Yong Hye-in, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, voluntarily stepped down ahead of her parliamentary confirmation hearing (the process by which the National Assembly reviews a ministerial nominee's qualifications). Her resignation was found to have been driven by remarks about an 'amendment' made during a broadcast appearance. News of Yong's resignation was covered by The Hankyoreh's 'ViewReel' on the 14th.

The resignation came as the National Assembly began confirmation hearings following the August 30 cabinet reshuffle. According to the Assembly's schedule, the hearing for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won is set for the 15th, meaning the confirmation process is still underway.

The broadcast was hosted by Ha Eo-young, a political reporter at The Hankyoreh, and featured lawyer Kang Soo-young, former Justice Party lawmaker Park Won-seok, and Hankyoreh Washington correspondent Kim Won-chul. The program also reviewed President Lee's approval rating from a Real Meter poll (cited on the ViewReel broadcast), showing 33.8% positive and 63.3% negative.

The same broadcast also covered political issues including the ruling Democratic Party's determination to defend nominee Kim Seung-won against opposition calls for his withdrawal, reports that Kim Min-seok, the party's chairman, was urged to resign, and lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's remark that he would 'pull out all their teeth.'

Under the theme 'Yong Hye-in resigns before her hearing... What about the government's personnel system?', the program continued with a follow-up discussion on the government's personnel apparatus.