용혜인 ‘의원직 유지’ 논란…국힘 “청년세대에 치명적 모독”

The ruling party's candidate for family equality secretary, Lee Unhui, has announced she will retain her proportional representative seat in the National Assembly even if appointed as a minister. While proportional representatives can hold cabinet positions, in this case, Lee has pledged to step down if appointed, causing controversy.

She tweeted that if she were to resign, the Basic Livelihood Party would become a fringe party, making it difficult for them. Lee was selected to join the 'Proportional Representative Satellite Party' in the 21-22 general election and has since returned to the Basic Livelihood Party. If she resigns, the current leader of the Basic Livelihood Party, Go Junsun, would inherit her seat.

Doing so would deprive the party of essential support such as event costs, personnel, and party subsidies. The People's Power coalition has criticized Lee's decision, calling it a "special privilege" and "an insult to young people." Deputy leader of the coalition, U Ujin, said during a recent meeting, "It's hard to understand why young people would want to do both a ministerial job and a parliamentary seat."

Another legislator, Yun Chang-hwan, stated on Facebook that it was "a mortal insult to the younger generation" and expressed frustration among the 2030 youth cohort. The Korean Women's Political Network criticized Lee's stance, arguing that it would result in the complete abolition of protective measures, particularly for victims of sexual violence and marginalized groups, calling it "inadequate qualifications."