{
  "id": 7061252,
  "title": "(LEAD) Gender minister nominee withdraws from consideration amid mounting controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/lead-gender-minister-nominee-withdraws-from-consideration-amid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T04:19:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260913001351315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL, September 13 - The gender equality ministry nominee withdrew from consideration on Sunday due to mounting criticism surrounding her candidacy. The sole representative from the Basic Income Party, Rep. Yong Hye-in, announced her decision during a press conference at the National Assembly, 14 days after being nominated for the Cabinet position. In her statement, she expressed her withdrawal, stating that she had to step down from consideration as the gender equality minister, even though she had initially pledged to contribute to building a gender-equal society for everyone.\n\nYong faced growing pressure from both the opposition and some members of the ruling coalition after she disclosed her intention to retain her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly if appointed to the Cabinet. According to current legislation, lawmakers can hold dual roles, but proportional representatives typically relinquish their parliamentary positions to make room for Cabinet members. She argued that abandoning her seat as a lawmaker would deprive the Basic Income Party of parliamentary representation, citing this as her rationale for remaining in both roles.\n\nThe Democratic Party reportedly requested Yong to make a decision on her nomination, indicating that the ruling party was withdrawing its political support for her as her approval ratings dipped, particularly among younger demographics. A recent Gallup Korea survey, conducted from Tuesday to Thursday, revealed that 38% of respondents had a favorable view of Lee Jae Myung's job performance, the lowest figure since he assumed office in June of the previous year. Additionally, 61% of those polled viewed Yong's nomination to the gender equality ministry negatively.\n\nYong also came under scrutiny for allegations of nepotism involving her husband as well as alleged connections to an underground left-leaning political group.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung's pick to lead the gender eq...",
  "key_points": [
    "Gender equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in withdraws from consideration",
    "Criticism over retaining proportional representation seat in National Assembly",
    "Opposition and ruling coalition pressure cited as withdrawal reasons"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) Gender minister nominee withdraws from consideration amid mounting controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/urgent-gender-minister-nominee-withdraws-from-consideration-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-13T02:42:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBS World Radio",
        "title": "Gender Equality Minister Nominee Withdraws from Consideration amid Controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/gender-equality-minister-nominee-withdraws-from-consideration-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-13T04:04:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}