Yong Hye-in's Classmate: “Not Top-Tier in Student Council”

Testimony has emerged that Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in was not among the top-tier influential figures during her student council activities in college. Kim Se-jong, at the time, frankly assessed Assemblywoman Yong, saying, “To be honest, back then, she wasn't in the absolute top tier.”

At that time, universities like Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Kyung Hee University were dominated by the Unified Progressive Party's strong influence, leading the student social atmosphere.

The Democratic Party has been criticized for showing a cowardly attitude regarding its failure in the appointment of the Minister of Justice. Ko Young-chan pointed out that the party avoids accountability for candidates nominated by Chairman Lee Jae-myung, stating, “But they are not sending messages about President Lee Jae-myung right now. I mean, Lee Jae-myung nominated him, so why don't they say a word about Lee Jae-myung?”

Currently, the Democratic Party is avoiding direct criticism of Chairman Lee Jae-myung and is merely reiterating demands for the candidate's resignation. This is analyzed as a result of the trauma caused by the general election nomination influence and strong loyalist supporters.

Consequently, there are concerns that the Democratic Party is failing to provide fundamental solutions to candidate issues, which could lead to questions about the party's morality.

In the early 2010s, the university scene had a strong exclusive atmosphere against conservative colors. Ko Young-chan explained the situation at the time, saying, “Back then, the university atmosphere, the student atmosphere itself, was such that if you were even slightly favorable to conservatives, they'd ask, 'Are you an Ilbe user?'”

In this atmosphere, the practice of branding students who expressed conservative tendencies as 'Ilbe users' was prevalent.

It was pointed out that university student councils created cell organizations under the guise of clubs to receive school budgets and local government subsidies. Ko Young-chan stated, “This student council actually creates cell organizations, like clubs or something. And then the school provides budget support for them.”

Suspicions were raised that specific politically-aligned groups monopolized these subsidies, formed a cartel of vested interests that blocked new entrants, and operated primarily around on-the-ground activists.

Kim Se-jong, who majored in advertising in college, revealed that he felt unfairness in the process of winning awards and selection for external activities. Kim said, “It was strange with awards, and when applying for things, getting rejected, we felt somewhat marginalized, but it turns out everything was already decided.”, expressing skepticism about a system structured around specific groups.

This raises questions about the fairness of external activities within universities, suggesting the existence of a closed structure where opportunities are concentrated among specific groups.

It is reported that public opinion within the Democratic Party is spreading that candidate Yong Hye-in should resign before the hearing. Seonwoo Yoon-ho conveyed, “What kind of reactions are actually coming out from within the Democratic Party? People are saying that Yong Hye-in should resign before the hearing. That she shouldn't even go to the hearing.”

Similar opposition is occurring not only for candidate Yong Hye-in but also for Assemblyman Kim Seung-won. Interpretations suggest that such criticism of individuals nominated by Chairman Lee Jae-myung could eventually lead to Chairman Lee Jae-myung's political disengagement.

Despite the Democratic Party's approval rating decline and negative evaluations in Seoul surpassing 70%, the panelists predicted that Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in would not resign and would proceed to the hearing. Ko Young-chan projected, “In my opinion, Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in will not resign.”

The conservative camp hopes that by not resigning and proceeding with the hearing, candidate Yong Hye-in will face additional allegations.

Ko Young-chan sarcastically referred to Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in as “the best candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. They have always asserted since their college days that Korea is in this state because men's rights are too strong,” pointing out the candidate's extreme female rights-centric views.

Furthermore, suspicions of funneling 300 million won in election funds to an affiliated company were raised again. This remark, mocking the candidate's existing controversies such as family-centric hiring and profit-sharing, revealed a critical view of the candidate's ethical issues and policy leanings.

An unusual situation occurred on the minister candidate's way to work, with bundles of documents flying around. Seonwoo Yoon-ho expressed surprise, saying, “I don't think I've ever seen A4 paper flying around on a minister candidate's way to work before. They throw A4 paper. It's not like throwing eggs, but throwing bundles of documents.”

This highlighted a critical view of the hardline response within the opposition party, comparing it to the protest methods of the conservative camp.

The hypocrisy of the Democratic Party and its affiliates acting contrary to the values they themselves espouse was pointed out. Kim Se-jong criticized, “What did they always advocate for? They claimed that for the nation's values to be upright, a party representing the socially vulnerable and minorities must exist, and they have held power the longest for that cause. Yet, they ignore the voices of their own minorities and act as if it's nothing. This itself, to me, only seems like the fundamental 'naeronambul' (my double standards) DNA of the Democratic Party and progressive factions.”

This suggests that the Democratic Party, while claiming to represent the voices of the socially vulnerable and minorities, exhibits hypocritical behavior by ignoring the opinions of minorities within its own ranks.

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) raised issues with the personnel verification of candidate Yong Hye-in, citing her past 'suspension of indictment' during her time at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Kim Se-jong pointed out, “Even that person was reported by PSPD. It wasn't even a mere suspicion during the COVID era at the MFDS; it was actually a suspension of indictment. A suspension of indictment, everyone, is not a judgment that there is no guilt, but rather a level of leniency despite guilt. There is guilt. Didn't PSPD screen her, saying this person shouldn't be a minister?”

This emphasizes that a suspension of indictment is not a declaration of innocence but rather means that punishment is avoided despite guilt, indicating that PSPD judged the candidate unsuitable for a ministerial position.

It is reported that there is a strong sentiment within the Democratic Party that candidate Yong Hye-in should resign before the hearing begins. Kim Se-jong analyzed, “Within the Democratic Party, the mood is 'resign before the hearing.' This isn't a show; this is true UFC. Because if the hearing starts, Lee Jae-myung's approval rating will drop sharply by 20%. Nevertheless, it's said that Yong Hye-in is highly likely to hold out until the hearing. So, everyone, feel free to prepare your popcorn, chicken, and beer while getting ready for the hearing.”

This is because Lee Jae-myung's approval rating is likely to drop significantly if the hearing begins. Despite this, Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in is predicted to be highly likely to hold out until the hearing.