[Asia Exclusive] Minister Jeong Young-ae: "Military Sexual Violence, Guidelines Existed but Did Not Work"

It Is Difficult to Blame Only the Lack of a Manual in the Sergeant Incident
Central Administrative Agencies to Check for Secondary Damage
Social Consensus Needed on Women's Conscription Debate and Military Environment
Gender Conflict Intensifies Sensitivity to Inequality Issues Due to Fierce Competition
Legislative Gap After Abolition of Abortion Law, Need for Health Insurance Coverage and Interdepartmental Coordination

Minister Jung Young-ae of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 11th at the Minister's office in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Government Seoul Office Building. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Interview = Lee Kyung-ho, Head of Social Affairs Department at Asia Economy, Organized by = Han Jin-joo, Reporter] "The reason sexual violence occurs in the military is not because there are no related guidelines, but because they are not functioning properly. Formal changes have been made, but that alone is insufficient."

Minister Jeong Young-ae of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family diagnosed the case of Air Force Staff Sergeant Lee, who took extreme measures after being sexually harassed by a superior, in an interview with Asia Economy. The military’s outdated decision-making system, which even nullifies the procedures for handling sexual violence cases, starkly reveals a reality that cannot be blamed solely on the ‘absence of manuals.’ Minister Jeong said, "Due to the closed working environment and the unique hierarchical culture of strict obedience, it is difficult for sexual violence cases to come to light, and even when harm occurs, it is not easy to seek help externally. The Ministry of National Defense is exploring various alternatives, but these should have worked preventively rather than reactively. In that sense, it is very regrettable."

Since 2015, the Ministry of National Defense has been improving systems and institutions such as special measures related to sexual violence, establishing dedicated organizations, and conducting surveys. However, this case confirmed that these measures are not functioning properly at the actual incident sites. The victim reported the incident and sought help, but the organization failed to take the necessary actions. Minister Jeong said, "Despite the government’s efforts to prevent such incidents, it is regrettable and apologetic that such a thing has happened again," and added, "We will make every effort to improve the system so that such incidents no longer occur and to change the culture not only in the military but throughout our society."

- What are the follow-up measures regarding sexual violence in the military?

△ On the 16th and 18th, on-site inspections were conducted at the Air Force Headquarters, the 20th Fighter Wing where Staff Sergeant Lee served, and the 15th Special Mission Wing. Led by the head of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s Rights Violation Prevention Division, experts from the Korea Women’s Human Rights Institute and legal professionals participated to inspect measures for protecting victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence within the Air Force and preventing secondary damage, including the operation of related systems. They also checked the past occurrence of sexual harassment and violence cases, whether recurrence prevention measures were established, and whether violence prevention education was properly conducted. Guidelines are being created for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and relevant ministries to jointly resolve power-based sexual crimes. At the end of July, during the implementation inspection of the ‘Strengthening Response System to Eradicate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Public Sector,’ the enactment of secondary damage prevention guidelines will be checked for central administrative agencies and local governments.

- The Gender Equality Organizational Innovation Promotion Team was launched to prevent sexual harassment and sexual violence incidents in the public sector.

△ The promotion team, launched on the 17th, supports improvements in organizational culture-related systems, development of diagnostic tools, and diagnosis and consultation for each institution in central government ministries, local governments, and public institutions. It also provides sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention education for senior officials and secondary damage prevention education by investigative agencies. In particular, prevention education for senior officials targets not only heads of central administrative agencies and local governments but also superintendents of education and deputy heads and department heads of various public sectors. For investigative agencies such as prosecutors, police, and labor inspectors, a program will be developed to educate those handling female violence cases to prevent secondary damage and to cultivate gender sensitivity during investigations.

- Regarding military-related issues, there is controversy over the female conscription system.

△ Introducing female conscription to resolve the dissatisfaction of young men with the military is inappropriate. Military effectiveness, service environment, and other factors must be comprehensively considered, and social consensus must precede. Discussions on improving military service conditions, treatment, and culture are necessary. It may be possible to provide equal enlistment opportunities where gender-equal culture is established, but it is premature to discuss equality without improving conditions in our country. Compensation after discharge is necessary. However, it is inappropriate to revisit military bonus points ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 11th at the Minister's office of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in the Government Seoul Office Building. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

- Gender conflicts are intensifying, especially among the younger generation.

△ Young people are frustrated as opportunities to find jobs decrease amid fierce competition. I see the gender conflict among the 20s and 30s generation as a phenomenon expressing these difficulties. Gender conflict cannot solve problems. Looking at economic activity participation rates, women in their 20s (64.1%) have a higher rate than men in their 20s (62.2%), but from their 30s, men (91.0%) have a much higher rate than women (64.3%). Women get jobs earlier, but the trend reverses from their 30s. Young women still experience gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices remaining in families, schools, and workplaces. Women respond much more sensitively to this, while men seem to feel inequality issues more acutely due to employment difficulties and intense competition. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family takes this issue seriously and is preparing and promoting appropriate policy tasks related to employment, housing, single-person households, and suicide.

- In politics, ‘Idaenam (men in their 20s)’ is a hot topic.

△ The topic of Idaenam is not new. Over the past decade, women in their 20s have preferred more progressive parties than men in their 20s. As support from men in their 20s decreased in the Seoul mayoral election, women’s support also declined. They move in the same trend, but there is no interest in the decrease in votes from women in their 20s. The phenomenon can appear differently depending on the intent of the analysis.

- There is a legislative gap after the abolition of the abortion law.

△ Prompt legislation is needed to guarantee women’s health rights, reproductive rights, and self-determination rights. Even before legislation, we will actively cooperate with related ministries to ensure no gaps in related support. Through three field meetings with stakeholders this year (February), we collected field opinions and discussed support measures for women in crisis. Last month, following counseling agencies’ opinions on the need for pregnancy and childbirth counseling manuals for women and youth in crisis, we distributed pregnancy and childbirth manuals to related agencies in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. We believe universal health insurance coverage is necessary to remove barriers to women’s medical access and will continue discussions with related ministries. We will strive to establish policy grounds necessary to guarantee women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

- What about discussions on single-parent childbirth following broadcaster Sayuri’s birth?

△ Acceptance of single-parent childbirth is high. However, single-parent childbirth using assisted reproductive technology requires in-depth review not only of individual self-determination rights from the perspective of family diversity but also concerns about commercialization of sperm donation, selection and screening of donated sperm, protection of the rights of the child born, and the status of the sperm donor as a ‘father.’ Discussions among related ministries are just beginning. This is an issue requiring review of related points and social consensus.

- The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is not free from controversy over its existence. What direction should the ministry take?

△ There is a misunderstanding that the ministry only handles women’s rights. It has also worked to protect and support socially vulnerable groups such as multicultural and single-parent families and youth in crisis. There is still much for the ministry to do in realizing gender equality values and supporting youth growth and protection. It may not be glamorous, but it is about helping those in need. We will take a more active and central role in embracing and communicating with those suffering from discrimination and violence, supporting their independence and growth. We will continue to listen to diverse voices from the field and communicate, carefully managing and improving policies to alleviate the difficulties and inconveniences of the public.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.