Yong Hye-in Accused of Involvement in Underground Organization

Nominee Yong Hye-in has been accused of being a member of an underground organization within the Labor Party. The host reported that Kim Yoon-young, chairwoman of the Labor Party's Women's Committee, directly addressed the issue, stating, "Yong Hye-in was also a member of an underground organization." This statement has amplified questions about the existence of an underground organization within the Labor Party and Yong Hye-in's past activities.

Floor Leader Jung Seong-san stated that the hearing for nominee Yong Hye-in "seems like it will be an underground organization hearing, not a hearing for Representative Yong Hye-in." This remark suggests that the allegations of Yong Hye-in's involvement in an underground organization could go beyond a mere personal issue and become a forum for discussing specific forces and ideological backgrounds across Korean society, emphasizing the seriousness of the problem.

Kim Gil-oh was a key figure in the student movement at Seoul National University in the 1980s, graduating with a philosophy degree in 1983. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu revealed that Kim Gil-oh served as chairman of the National Democratic Struggle Committee (Mintu) during Kim Min-seok's tenure as student body president in 1982. This demonstrates Kim Gil-oh's influence as a central figure in Mintu, a significant current of the 1980s student movement.

Kim Gil-oh, a former activist, has transformed into a successful entrepreneur and is currently active in business. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu stated that Kim Gil-oh is the CEO of "Korea Boardgames." This company is reportedly achieving business success, having recorded sales of 59.5 billion won as of the year before last.

Kim Gil-oh is regarded as having been a behind-the-scenes power during his student activism days in the 1980s, while Kim Min-seok served as student body president. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu mentioned, "Kim Min-seok was, well, the student body president, but Kim Gil-oh, as the chairman of Mintu, was more of a de facto power behind the scenes." It is said that at the time, even among students, there were whispers that Kim Min-seok was merely a figurehead and Kim Gil-oh wielded actual influence, indicating Kim Gil-oh's significant presence.

Political commentator Park Sang-kyu claimed that Kim Gil-oh, "now a company CEO earning a huge amount of money, operated two youth organizations." These organizations were linked to theアルバノジョ (Alba-nojo, Part-time Workers' Union), the Labor Party, and the Youth Left, and allegations have been raised that Representative Yong Hye-in and her husband, Park Ki-hong, were active in these organizations. In particular, the Yong Hye-in couple is known to have been influenced by Kim Gil-oh to the extent that they were classified as his 'kids'.

Through Kim Yoon-young, chairwoman of the Labor Party's Women's Committee, the reality of gender discrimination within the youth leftist underground organization was exposed. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu quoted Chairwoman Kim Yoon-young's testimony: "Yong Hye-in and I worked together, and at that time, there was immense discrimination against women in the youth leftist underground." This shows that serious gender discrimination existed even within an organization that claimed to be progressive.

Criticism has emerged that there was a lack of awareness regarding women's rights within the leftist activist movement. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu commented, "I think there was a somewhat weak, how should I put it, sentiment towards protecting women and human rights, and in my view, there were considerable problems." This highlights that the leftist activist movement had internal limitations regarding sexual human rights issues.

It has been alleged that female members within the underground organization were excluded and insulted by male members on issues of gender equality. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu described the situation at the time: "When we were doing underground meetings together, women were excluded by male members and greatly insulted on gender equality issues, to the point where they were taking antidepressant medication and struggling." This reveals the psychological suffering and severe discriminatory treatment experienced by female members.

Allegations have arisen that Representative Yong Hye-in did not side with her fellow female members who experienced gender discrimination within the underground organization, but rather sided with the male members. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu quoted testimony stating, "Yong Hye-in, on the contrary, did not side with us women but sided with the male members, really criticizing and cornering us at the time." This past action by Representative Yong Hye-in is pointed out as a factor that further amplifies questions about her suitability as a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

Allegations that Representative Yong Hye-in was active as a member of an ideologically questionable underground organization have led to strong claims that she is not qualified to be a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Political commentator Park Sang-kyu stated that there is "sufficient suspicion that Representative Yong Hye-in was a member of an ideologically highly questionable underground organization." Furthermore, he unequivocally declared that she "has no right whatsoever to come forward as a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family," citing her past actions of siding with perpetrators in a gender-discriminatory environment as grounds for her unsuitability. These allegations are leading to significant controversy surrounding Representative Yong Hye-in's fitness for public office.