South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s recent cabinet reshuffle has encountered a setback following the withdrawal of his nominee for gender minister, Yong Hye-in. Yong, a 36-year-old lawmaker representing the minor Basic Income Party, announced her decision to step down on Sunday.

The withdrawal comes after significant public backlash regarding the nominee's suitability for the role. The primary point of contention centered on Yong's stated intention to maintain her position as a member of the National Assembly while simultaneously serving as a cabinet minister. Critics argued that holding both roles simultaneously presented a conflict of interest or a lack of focus, leading to the controversy that ultimately derailed her nomination before the formal confirmation process could be completed.

This development is the latest in a series of challenges facing President Lee’s administration as he attempts to reorganize his cabinet. The resignation highlights the difficulties the administration faces in securing confirmation for its appointees amid heightened public scrutiny of political appointments and the dual-role issue. As of now, the administration has not announced a replacement candidate for the gender minister position, leaving a key vacancy in the cabinet as the reshuffle process continues.