Lawmaker proposes bill barring proportional lawmakers from concurrently holding Cabinet posts

SEOUL, September 4 (Yonhap) -- A member of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) introduced a bill on Friday that would demand proportional representation lawmakers to relinquish their parliamentary seats if they wish to serve in Cabinet positions. The proposal emerged as Rep. Yong Hye-in of the smaller Basic Income Party, who is the nominee for gender equality minister, came under fire for her desire to retain her National Assembly seat after being assigned to a Cabinet role.

Yong Hye-in's refusal to surrender either position has exposed a flaw in the existing system that permits lawmakers to hold dual roles. PPP Rep. Kim Jae-sub expressed the need for the revision to the National Assembly Act, presented by the bill. Under the current legislation, lawmakers are permitted to simultaneously act as cabinet members, although proportional representatives typically cede their parliamentary seats to the next candidate on their party's proportional representation list.

Yong Hye-in, who is the only representative of her party, had previously stated her intent to maintain her Assembly seat if she were to become the minister. She noted that should she resign as a lawmaker, her party would transform into a non-parliamentary one.