Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in directly clarified various allegations surrounding her, including holding a dual position as Prime Minister candidate, party membership fees, and real estate market price gains.
Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in pointed out that more than a month has passed since President Yoon Suk-yeol nominated her as Prime Minister candidate, but the date for the confirmation hearing has not been set. The opposition from the People Power Party and speculation within the Democratic Party are identified as key reasons delaying the confirmation hearing schedule.
She specifically mentioned that this is the first case since the Kim Dae-jung administration and argued that applying strict standards only to proportional representation members is unfair. Her position is that, legally, a National Assembly member holding a dual position as a Cabinet member is not problematic in principle.
She added that the addresses for provincial/city parties were registered as the residences of full-time chairpersons, which is a legitimate case that completed reporting after an investigation by the National Election Commission. Therefore, she made it clear that the allegation that founding provincial/city parties was a trick to receive additional subsidies is not true.
She also clarified that the controversy over election publicity material costs reflected realistic factors such as rising oil prices and transportation costs, emphasizing that the contracts were lawfully made within the budget limits compared to major parties.
She emphasized that tax deductions are based on normal legal standards and are not a trick. She added that if she had not paid party dues from her personal income, she could have had a larger amount.
She pointed out that large parties are not eligible for such support due to their employment scale and stated that they received confirmation from relevant agencies that there were no issues. She criticized large parties that receive election expense reimbursements as the true beneficiaries of double benefits.
She explained that if the purpose had been market price gains, she could have waited an additional 20 days to receive a capital gains tax reduction but chose not to. She added that 70% of the capital gains tax was applied, resulting in her paying over 10 million won.
She explained that her spouse was appointed as a secretary in 2018 and has diligently assisted in legislative activities.
Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in criticized some media outlets for reporting fragmented claims that disparage her legislative activities. She stated that she attended all six bill subcommittees and achieved various accomplishments, including receiving a special award for gender equality policy. She added that it is common sense to attend subcommittee meetings only as many times as they are held.
Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in strongly criticized the unethical reporting methods of the media. She revealed that a reporter called the acting party leader, who was grieving at a crematorium after his father's passing, and continued to demand questions despite being told he was in mourning. She also pointed out that biased reports continued, with a barrage of questions unrelated to the parental bereavement and no reflection of her counter-arguments.
She explained that the organization experienced issues with sexist and hierarchical culture and was dissolved in 2017.
Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in emphasized that the eight characters 'abortion ban premarital purity' have never been her beliefs nor governed her life. She refuted allegations of acting falsely with past beliefs, explaining that her political actions, such as advocating for the abolition of the abortion crime, contradict these alleged beliefs.
Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in reconfirmed her intention to faithfully answer questions if a hearing is held in the future. She explained that the press conference was held proactively to address the allegations raised amidst the failure to agree on the hearing schedule.
She emphasized that this result was achieved by competing with major parties with only 9 million won in government subsidies, 39 million won in election subsidies, and party members' dues. She highlighted that a meaningful vote share was obtained despite the difference in resources.
She made it clear that she no longer has any relationship with the person who raised allegations regarding the private political faction's past.
Answers come from the transcript, with the exact spot cited.
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