Kim Jong-in: "Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Could Promote Conflict Structures... More Discussion Needed"

"'Gender Conflict' Issue Divides Voter Sentiment... Young Men Support Yoon, Young Women Back Lee"
"Lee Jun-seok's Decisive Contribution to Yoon's Election Victory"

Kim Jong-in, former Chief Election Strategy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is leaving after meeting with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who visited his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of January 10.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kim Jong-in, former chairman of the People Power Party's election committee, pointed out that more discussion is needed regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

On the 11th, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Kim said, "Looking at the results of this election, didn't the issue of 'gender conflict' completely split the votes in two?" He explained, "Men in their 20s voted for President-elect Yoon, while women in their 20s voted for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. Given this conflict structure, if we unconditionally say 'we will abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family,' it could potentially exacerbate the conflict."

Kim also emphasized the need for related discussions, referring to the previous withdrawal of the pledge to abolish the Ministry during the Lee Myung-bak administration. He said, "The issue of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was discussed when the Lee Myung-bak government first started but ultimately was not carried out. So, as is already being talked about, the Ministry will have to be maintained through functional adjustments. Similarly, I think we need to observe the discussion process going forward."

Regarding criticism of People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok for so-called 'gender division,' Kim said, "There seem to be some critical voices about Leader Lee. However, his contribution to President-elect Yoon's victory was greater. While there is criticism, I think such criticism can practically be ignored."

Kim evaluated President-elect Yoon's other pledge to relocate the presidential office to Gwanghwamun as not an urgent task. He said, "The issue with the Blue House was the problem with the president's residence. Moving the office from the Blue House to Gwanghwamun can be justified in principle, but I don't think it is the most important task for national administration. There are many urgent matters, so relocating the Blue House itself is not a primary task at this time."

Furthermore, Kim said, "With about two months left until the local elections, we must accurately interpret the public sentiment shown in the presidential election. Generally speaking, the party that wins the presidential election tends to have an advantage in the elections held immediately afterward, so this cannot be ignored. However, how to respond to this should be well judged by the party itself."

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