Lee Sujeong "Yoon 'Abolition of Ministry of Gender Equality' Shocked... But Better Alternatives Prepared"

"Appealing to Women in Their 20s and 30s, Who Are the Floating Voters, to Vote for Yoon"

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Professor Lee Soo-jung, a co-chair of the People Power Party's joint presidential campaign committee and a professor in the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University, expressed support on the 16th for Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and his pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

In an interview with JoongAng Ilbo's YouTube channel 'Kang Chan-ho's Too Much Talker' on the same day, Professor Lee said, "I was shocked when Candidate Yoon declared the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, but I realized he intended to propose a better alternative. After refining the policy for over a month, a better alternative than maintaining the ministry was prepared, so I support the pledge to abolish the ministry."

Regarding the alternative to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family proposed by Candidate Yoon, Professor Lee explained, "The ministry failed to raise its voice against sexual crimes committed by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and did not properly care for the victims. Instead of maintaining a ministry that neglected its responsibilities, dedicated agencies will be established within the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Employment and Labor to more thoroughly address women's crimes and employment inequality issues. Additionally, family courts will be granted the authority to impose criminal penalties to ensure victim-centered law enforcement." She added, "If this pledge is realized, a much stronger and more practical system for protecting women will be established than by maintaining the ministry."

Regarding the resistance from 'Idaenam' (men in their 20s) toward her, Professor Lee said, "They have changed a lot recently. The men in their 20s got what they wanted from Candidate Yoon (abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family), and they seem to have realized that I am not someone who blindly sides only with women." She added, "There were even young people who sent me emails saying, 'I think I misunderstood you until now.'" Idaenam is considered a core support base for Candidate Yoon.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is campaigning on the afternoon of the 15th at Euneungjeongi Culture Street in Jung-gu, Daejeon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked if she was effectively 'separated' from Candidate Yoon, she replied, "I automatically stepped down from the co-chair position due to the dissolution of the campaign committee, but I have maintained my position as a policy committee member and have been assisting Candidate Yoon." She added, "In the remaining 20 or so days until the presidential election, I will appeal to the floating voters among women in their 20s and 30s to vote for Candidate Yoon."

Regarding her support for Candidate Yoon, who has been criticized for low gender sensitivity, she said, "I am a person who believes in the rule of law. But looking at the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration, they flagrantly violated laws and created extralegal bodies as they pleased, preventing investigations into power-related crimes. I thought if such a regime continued for another five years, South Korea would be in serious trouble. However, Candidate Yoon stubbornly adheres to laws and principles even when unfavorable outcomes are expected for himself. That is why I support him."

Professor Lee also said, "My support for Candidate Yoon remains unchanged. He is consistent and has many grievances. When he was Prosecutor General and investigated Cho Kuk (former Minister of Justice), the Moon administration unfairly imposed suspension and disciplinary measures. I served as a prosecutor oversight committee member and know the inside story well. I support him because he follows the law and principles so strictly that it sometimes seems foolish."

Meanwhile, on the 13th, Candidate Yoon submitted his top 10 presidential pledges, including the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, to the National Election Commission. Afterwards, he posted on Facebook, "There are rumors that the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been withdrawn from my campaign promises. This is not true." He emphasized, "Some media pointed out that this pledge was omitted from election brochures distributed to households, but this is merely a tailored strategy due to the nature of the promotional materials."

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