Constitutional History's First '90s-Born Minister Yong Hye-in… 'Satellite Party Proportional Representative and Inexperience' Qualifications under Fire

- Nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family at age 36 (born in 1990)… Breaking the record for youngest minister set during the Park Geun-hye administration at age 43

- Former Co-Chair of Lee Jae-myung's Campaign Election Committee… Close alliance through founding of the Basic Income Party promoting a monthly 600,000-won basic income

- Growing criticism over lack of administrative experience and history as a proportional representative who used a satellite party as a stepping stone for re-election

- Rough path ahead at confirmation hearings due to past controversies including "abolition of the National Security Act, non-consensual rape crime, and private use of VIP lounges"

The Lee Jae-myung government has nominated Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in, born in 1990, as the candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. If she passes the National Assembly confirmation hearing, she will become the first '90s-born minister in constitutional history at the age of 36. This is a groundbreaking appointment that breaks the record for the youngest minister since the direct presidential election system, previously held by former Minister of Gender Equality Kim Hee-jung, who entered the cabinet at age 43 during the Park Geun-hye administration. However, fierce controversy over her qualifications is rising due to her limitations as a proportional representative from a satellite party with zero administrative experience, combined with her past extremist policy moves.

Behind Candidate Yong's rapid rise lies a solid political rapport with President Lee Jae-myung. During the last presidential election, Candidate Yong served as the Co-Chair of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee for the 21st presidential election, leading Candidate Lee to victory.

Born in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, she graduated from Gyeongan High School and Kyung Hee University with a degree in Political Science and Diplomacy. She entered politics as a university student by leading a “silent march” to commemorate the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster. In 2020, she founded the Basic Income Party with the slogan of paying a monthly basic income of 600,000 won to all citizens. That same year, she joined the Together Citizens' Party, a pro-ruling party proportional representation coalition led by the Democratic Party, entering the 21st National Assembly. She also crossed the threshold for a second term as a proportional representative via an opposition satellite party in the 22nd general election.

Immediately after her nomination, Candidate Yong wrote on Facebook, “I heard the news of my nomination on a weekend morning while caring for my six-year-old child.” She added, “As a working mom in her 30s and a member of the opposition party sharing responsibility for state affairs, I feel a sense of duty and responsibility heavier than ever.” She further expressed her aspirations, saying, “I will devote my heart and soul to drawing out practical changes that all citizens can relate to and experience, and to creating a warmer and happier daily life.”

Contrary to her glamorous ambitions, public opinion is cold. The prevailing criticism is that her shallow political career in her mid-30s and her background as a 'satellite party re-elected member' without experience in winning a local constituency do not befit the weight of a State Council member. Posts listing Candidate Yong's flaws are spreading across various social media platforms. Netizens are harshly criticizing her past biased legislative promotion records, such as supporting the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, advocating for the introduction of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, supporting the abolition of the National Security Act, and advocating for a non-consensual rape crime. On top of this, the moral blot of the private use of an airport VIP lounge has been re-examined, adding fuel to the public criticism. Amid concerns that the title of youngest minister could act as a precursor to state affairs collapse, a harsh personnel verification process is approaching.