[Hotterview] 'Proportional Reappointment' Yong Hye-in "Expansion Competition with Joguk Innovation Party"

Unprecedented Satellite Party Proportional Re-election... "A Decision for the Party"
Civil Society Candidates' Pro-North Korea Controversy Met with "Public Expectations"
Support Surge for Joguk Innovation Party Called "Competitive Cooperative Relationship"

There is growing criticism against Representative Yong Hye-in (Co-Chair of the New Progressive Alliance's Election Countermeasures Committee), who is running for re-election through a satellite party proportional representation. Representative Yong emphasized the difficulties faced by small parties and stated, "I will listen carefully to criticism and prove my sincerity through competence." Regarding the relationship with the Joguk Innovation Party, she diagnosed that 'competitive cooperation' is necessary to realize the theory of regime judgment.

On the 13th, in a phone interview with Asia Economy, when asked about the background of her decision to run as a proportional representative, Representative Yong said, "It was a choice made after much consideration not only for my own future but also to grow the Basic Income Party, a small but clear political party, bigger." She added, "Under limited conditions, I discussed with many colleagues for the victory of the Democratic Coalition and the growth of the Basic Income Party, and this was the best choice made by the party in that process."

Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 24th, announcing her position on the plan for the 22nd general election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The New Progressive Alliance convened its Central Election Countermeasures Committee on the 5th and recommended three candidates for proportional representation: Representative Yong, Han Chang-min, co-representative of the Social Democratic Party, and Choi Hyuk-jin, former Secretary for Social Economy at the Blue House. The New Progressive Alliance is an electoral coalition consisting of the Basic Income Party, led by Representative Yong, the Social Democratic Party, and the Open Democratic Party. It participates as one pillar of the satellite party 'Democratic Coalition,' led by the Democratic Party of Korea.

Representative Yong explained the background of selecting one candidate each from the Basic Income Party, Social Democratic Party, and Open Democratic Party for the New Progressive Alliance's quota, saying, "I thought the purpose of a multi-party system should be realized not only within the 'large coalition' called the Democratic Coalition but also within the 'small coalition' of the New Progressive Alliance." Regarding the reason she was repeatedly recommended, she said, "There was consideration about how to realize the goal of basic income, and party members decided that having a re-elected lawmaker with legislative experience and some achievements in the 22nd National Assembly would be good for the party."

However, it seems difficult to avoid the 'special treatment controversy.' She also received the 5th spot on the proportional representation list of the Democratic Party's satellite party, the Democratic Citizens Party, in the 21st general election and won a seat. Although her position on this proportional representation list has not yet been determined, since all New Progressive Alliance candidates are placed within the winning range, the possibility of re-election is high. Re-election through a satellite party proportional representation is unprecedented.

When asked about a solution to such criticism, she said, "I am well aware that in large parties, it has been customary for proportional representatives to run in constituencies after serving once," but added sharply, "Leaders like Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yeon, who have only experienced major parties, probably do not understand how difficult and important it is for a small party to secure one seat and for a re-elected lawmaker to re-enter the National Assembly." She continued, "I take pride in being recognized to some extent for my competence through four years of legislative activity, and I promise to continue listening to the voices of the people and proving my sincerity."

Regarding her role in the 22nd National Assembly, she cited 'policy' and 'regime change.' She said, "When proposing the proportional coalition party, I emphasized that it should be a coalition centered on policy reform, and during the formation of the Democratic Coalition, more effort was put into policy than political negotiation." In particular, she explained, "The New Progressive Alliance persuaded the Democratic Party to adopt more reformist policies," and added, "We plan to steadily promote opposition cooperation to achieve progressive regime change based on tasks such as basic income, carbon tax introduction, and public investment in renewable energy."

Controversy over 'pro-North Korea' accusations against civil society candidates: "The people's standards"

At the signing ceremony for the Democratic Reform Progressive Election Alliance held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 21st, Park Hong-geun, head of the Democratic Party's Democratic Alliance Promotion Team (center), Yoon Hee-sook, standing election countermeasures committee chairman of the Progressive Party (right), and Yong Hye-in, standing election countermeasures committee chairman of the New Progressive Alliance, are posing.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

She also spoke about the 'anti-American and pro-North Korea controversy' surrounding the civil society candidates of the Democratic Coalition. Earlier, the Coalition Political Civic Council selected the following as civil society candidates: Jeon Ji-ye, a steering committee member of the Financial Justice Solidarity; Kim Yoon, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine; Jung Young-i, chairman of the Gurye County Farmers' Association of the National Farmers' Federation; and Lim Tae-hoon, former director of the Military Human Rights Center. Among them, controversy arose as Jeon Ji-ye was known to be from the anti-American group 'Gyeore Hana,' which protested against the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, and Jung Young-i was known for leading protests against the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

The Democratic Party side, fearing a fatal blow to their general election strategy, demanded 're-nomination,' and two candidates voluntarily withdrew the day before. Representative Yong said, "I have met Professor Kim Yoon and Director Lim Tae-hoon often during legislative activities, and they are essential talents for various reform tasks," but distanced herself by saying, "I do not know exactly what activities the female candidates on the list have been involved in." She added, "Although I have not closely examined the concerns raised by the media, I sympathize with the Democratic Party's concern that candidates should be selected according to the people's standards."

Joguk Innovation Party, which caused a stir: "Cooperation for regime judgment"

Cho Kuk, leader of the National Innovation Party, is speaking during a visit to Yong Hye-in, co-representative of the New Progressive Alliance, at the National Assembly on the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked about the relationship with the Joguk Innovation Party, led by former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, she described it as 'competitive cooperation.' Rather than feeling threatened by the existence of the Joguk Innovation Party, she said the two parties should expand their respective domains together while realizing the common goal of 'regime judgment.'

Regarding the consolidation of support for the Joguk Innovation Party, she said, "Recent polls show that about 50-60% support parties (proportional representation) in the democratic-progressive camp," and evaluated, "There is a structure where over 60% of the public opinion for regime judgment against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is concentrated on the Democratic Coalition and the Joguk Innovation Party." She added, "Ultimately, this election confirms the direction of regime judgment, and the public will expect productive and meaningful discussions between the Democratic Coalition and the Joguk Innovation Party. Rather than competing over each other's support base within the 60%, a healthy competition on how much to expand is necessary."