Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced on Friday its commitment to address the mounting controversy over the nomination of Rep. Yong Hye-in as gender equality minister. This comes amidst escalating criticism surrounding her appointment.

According to Yonhap News Agency, DP senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon stated after a supreme council meeting that the party is "urgently gathering assessments and views from both within and outside the party" concerning Yong's nomination. "We will take the issue seriously from the perspective of the people," Park told reporters.

The controversy intensified following Yong's declaration at a press conference of her intent to retain her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly, even if appointed to the Cabinet position. Though current law permits lawmakers to serve concurrently as Cabinet members, it has been customary for proportional representatives to relinquish their parliamentary seats upon joining the Cabinet, thereby passing the post to the next candidate on the proportional representation list.

Yong, the sole lawmaker of the minor Basic Income Party, argued that her resignation as a lawmaker would render her party non-parliamentary. Her decision has attracted criticism, alongside allegations of nepotism involving her husband and purported connections to a left-leaning underground political party.

According to a Gallup Korea survey published earlier in the day, 61 percent of respondents deemed Yong unfit for the ministerial role, while 13 percent considered her suitable. A presidential official suggested that it was necessary for Yong to have the opportunity to explain herself during the confirmation hearing before any decision on her appointment is made.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung reiterated this stance on Friday, stating, "Cheong Wa Dae's position is that Yong should be given a chance to explain herself to the public," emphasizing that the presidential office is also attentive to the public's opinions.