Jeong Young-ae's Ontology of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family: "Not a Department Only for Women"

Political Circles Face Calls for Abolition, Emphasize "Need to Expand Functions"
Dedicated Departments Needed for Career Disruption, At-Risk Youth, Single-Parent Families
Also Express Willingness to Actively Consider Renaming 'Gender Equality Department'

"The role of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) must be expanded"

"There should be no misunderstanding that it targets only women"

"It could be renamed to the Ministry of Gender Equality or the Ministry of Equality"

This is the ontology and role theory of MOGEF as explained by Minister Jung Young-ae. Although MOGEF marks its 20th anniversary this year, it still cannot escape controversy over its continuation or abolition. As gender conflicts and the issue of ‘angry young men in their twenties’ (20s males) spread and the political sphere fuels calls for MOGEF’s abolition, it once again stands at a crossroads regarding its existence.

At a virtual press briefing on the 14th, Minister Jung responded to the question of why MOGEF is necessary by saying, "To address unprecedented career interruptions and low birth rates worldwide, the most severe gender wage gap among OECD countries, and issues of child and adolescent sexual exploitation, a dedicated ministry is absolutely necessary." She added, "Its functions must be further expanded." MOGEF does not implement policies solely for women. For example, support for victims of digital sexual crimes is provided regardless of gender, and changes such as removing age limits on survivor compensation pensions and equalizing criteria for reduced working hours during childcare for both men and women illustrate this.

However, it is regrettable that only women have been highlighted. As an alternative, Minister Jung said, "During the first 10 years after MOGEF’s establishment, the paradigm of women’s policy was basically ‘women’s development,’ but since then it has shifted to realizing a practical gender-equal society." She added, "The ministry’s English name is the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and if necessary, we can actively consider renaming the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to the Ministry of Gender Equality or the Ministry of Equality." Regarding the ‘gender-equal employment target system,’ which is often misunderstood as a women’s quota system, she rebutted, "If a specific gender falls below 30% of the planned number of hires, additional hires of the underrepresented gender can be made. According to statistics from 2015 to 2019, over 70% of additional successful candidates for local government positions (1,200 out of 1,600) were men."

She also refuted criticisms that MOGEF’s work overlaps with other ministries and that its independent existence is weak. "Career-interrupted women, child support, support for sexual violence victims, single-parent families, and out-of-school youth are areas that existing ministries have not properly addressed. MOGEF must encourage and cooperate with various ministries to create connections and push these initiatives forward."

MOGEF plans to hold a ‘Gender Equality Forum’ to bridge the gender equality perception gap among youth. To foster a gender-equal labor environment, it will publish data on gender wage gaps and gender representation in executive positions at listed companies and public institutions, and strengthen customized employment support such as vocational training for women who have left the labor market due to COVID-19. Along with follow-up measures for the ‘Stalking Crime Punishment Act’ to be implemented in October, it will prepare a victim protection law and begin legislative efforts from September. The ‘Internet Game Shutdown System,’ which caused controversy for restricting minors’ use of ‘Minecraft,’ will also be actively improved. Minister Jung said, "If you go alone, you go fast, but if you go together, you can go far. We will move forward while communicating with the public for a gender-equal society."

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