South Korean Gender Minister Nominee Resigns Amid Falling Presidential Approval

Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, voluntarily withdrew her nomination on Sunday. The 36 year old lawmaker of the Basic Income Party stepped down 14 days after being appointed by President Lee Jae Myung. Her resignation followed public backlash and pressure from the ruling Democratic Party over her intention to retain her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly while serving in the cabinet. Yong stated that she concluded it would be difficult to effectively fulfill her role as a bridge between the government and the National Assembly given the concerns expressed by the ruling party. Additional controversies surrounding her nomination included allegations of nepotism and questions regarding the internal management of the Basic Income Party.

The resignation comes as President Lee faces a decline in public support. A Gallup Korea survey released Friday showed his approval rating at 38 percent, with 61 percent of respondents viewing Yong as unqualified for the position. Another poll conducted by Realmeter and commissioned by the EKN newspaper placed Lee's approval rating lower at 33.8 percent, marking the ninth consecutive week of decline. Realmeter attributed this drop to the cabinet reshuffle, uncertainty over real estate policies, and the possible deployment of military assets to the Strait of Hormuz. The Realmeter poll also noted a sharp decline in support among voters in their 20s.

Other nominees in the reshuffle have also faced scrutiny. Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won has been hit with allegations that he illegally lobbied authorities regarding the approval of a COVID 19 treatment in 2021. In a separate Realmeter poll, support for the ruling Democratic Party fell to 36.1 percent, while the opposition People Power Party rose to 42.1 percent.