Seoul: A lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) proposed a bill Friday that would require proportional representation lawmakers to give up their parliamentary seats in order to serve as Cabinet members.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the proposal emerged in response to Rep. Yong Hye-in of the minor Basic Income Party, who is nominated for gender equality minister. Yong faced criticism for expressing her intention to retain her National Assembly seat even after being appointed to the Cabinet position.

PPP Rep. Kim Jae-sub highlighted the issue, stating, "Yong Hye-in's greed in refusing to give up either position has laid bare the loophole in the current system that allows lawmakers to hold Cabinet posts," as he introduced the revision to the National Assembly Act.

The existing law permits lawmakers to serve concurrently as Cabinet members. However, it has been customary for proportional representatives to relinquish their parliamentary seats when joining the Cabinet, allowing the next candidate in line on the proportional representation list to take over the seat.

Yong, who currently holds the sole legislative position for her party, indicated that she would maintain her Assembly seat if appointed as minister. She pointed out that her resignation as a lawmaker would result in her party becoming a non-parliamentary entity.