野 "Restrictions on Transgender Individuals and Measures Against Reverse Discrimination of Women Needed"… Ruling Party "Language of Hate and Discrimination"

Conflict Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Reverse Discrimination Against Transgender People at the Gender Equality Committee Hearing
Rep. Seo Jeong-suk: "Women's Privacy Must Be Protected from Transgender People"
Jung Young-ae: "Oppose All Forms of Discrimination"
Regarding the Amendment to the Framework Act on Healthy Families, Jeon Ju-hye: "Isn't This Allowing Same-Sex Marriage?"
Jung Young-ae: "Same-Sex Marriage Is Not Included, but Common-Law Marriage Is"

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee's audit on the 22nd, taking the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] During the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) audit, concerns were raised that women might face reverse discrimination due to transgender individuals. While opposition party lawmakers demanded countermeasures from MOGEF, ruling party lawmakers criticized them for failing to clarify their stance on hate and discrimination.

At the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee audit on the 22nd, Seo Jeong-sook, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "In the United States, 58 bills have been proposed to restrict the behavior of transgender individuals and protect women's rights," adding, "Efforts are being made worldwide to address the issue of reverse discrimination against women caused by transgender individuals."

Seo questioned Minister Jeong, saying, "There was a case in an LA Korean-style bathhouse where a person who was biologically and physically male claimed to be female and entered the bathhouse. There is no way to prevent such claims, which caused conflicts in that area," and asked, "Women can feel confused, uncomfortable, and fearful. Are you preparing measures to prevent reverse discrimination against women?"

In response, Minister Jeong Young-ae said, "We will implement policies related to the safety of not only the majority of women but everyone."

Kwon In-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized, "MOGEF should be the department most concerned with protecting sexual minorities and human rights, so how can the minister respond with no philosophy regarding hate and discriminatory language?" She added, "I now understand why there are calls to abolish MOGEF."

Minister Jeong replied, "I have clearly stated opposition to all forms of discrimination expressed in the Constitution."

When Kwon demanded, "State your position on transgender people," Minister Jeong responded, "I have made the statements I can."

Minister Jeong also said, "You are aware that the revision of the Framework Act on Healthy Families is not progressing well," and added, "I fully empathize and agree with Representative Kwon’s opinion."

There was also questioning regarding the revision of the Framework Act on Healthy Families, which includes expanding the definition of family beyond marriage and blood relations. Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "Does this mean allowing same-sex couples or same-sex marriage?"

Minister Jeong replied, "Living together as same-sex partners and recognizing same-sex marriage as family are different," and clarified, "It does not mean allowing same-sex marriage."

Jeon pointed out, "According to public opinion polls on the Framework Act on Healthy Families, 68.8% oppose it," and noted, "By expanding the meaning of family, there are concerns that same-sex couples might be recognized as family."

Minister Jeong explained, "Same-sex marriage is not included, but common-law partnerships can be included," and added, "The wording was not created with the intention of leading to the allowance of same-sex marriage."

She further explained, "Rather than insisting on a specific family definition, the revision aims to reflect the fact that family forms and structures have changed significantly and the rate of unmarried people has increased."

Regarding criticism that it is difficult to agree with changing the term 'healthy family' in the Framework Act, Minister Jeong said, "In a situation where family forms are diversifying and changing, I believe it is necessary to have an open mind toward expanding the definition of family to fit social changes, rather than defining only certain family types as healthy and others as unhealthy."

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