Joeunhee "I Do Not Oppose the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family... Discussion on Alternatives Is Needed"

"Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Declines to Ruling Party's Family Ministry... Need to Establish Deputy Prime Minister-Level 'Future Family Ministry'"

Jo Eun-hee, the elected member of the People Power Party for Seocho-gu Gap, Seoul, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] On the 13th, Jo Eun-hee, a member of the People Power Party elected in the Seoul Seocho-gap by-election, stated, "I never said I oppose the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. I proposed an alternative," adding, "It is largely in line with President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's position to 'establish a new ministry that comprehensively addresses issues related to children, families, and population decline, rather than dividing by gender anymore."

On the same day, Jo wrote on her blog, "I regret that my remarks on the March 11 CBS radio program regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family were distorted as if I opposed it, causing misunderstandings."

She said, "Although the current Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has many positive functions, it has been suspected and criticized for fostering gender conflicts rather than gender equality," and added, "I criticized the ministry for having degenerated into a 'ruling party family ministry,' thereby bringing about its own existential crisis. If it remains as it is, it deserves to be abolished."

She continued, "Then what is the alternative? Simply abolishing it without alternatives due to its shortcomings is a simplistic view that only sees the trees, not the forest," and emphasized, "There needs to be a more productive and creative discussion on alternatives."

Furthermore, she stated, "I have repeatedly expressed the opinion that the issue of the 'population cliff' is a critical matter related to the nation's survival, and it is not appropriate for any single ministry to handle it alone; comprehensive measures across all government sectors are necessary," and argued, "It is necessary to establish a new government department at the deputy prime minister level, tentatively called the , which encompasses all these issues (gender equality, low birthrate, children and families, and the super-aged society problem)."

Jo added, "This presidential election was a stern judgment by the people on the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party," and "At the same time, the people have given our party a heavy task. We especially need to listen carefully to the concerns of women in their 20s to 50s."

She said, "One half without the other half is meaningless. We need both wings," and expressed, "I believe the Yoon Seok-yeol government can succeed by uniting the halves into one and spreading both wings wide to fly powerfully in the sky."

Meanwhile, on the 10th, Jo appeared on CBS radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' and said, "I think the current Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has become a ruling party family ministry," adding, "However, since women still need support and issues such as women's safety, low birthrate, and family problems must be addressed by some department, this function should be elevated to the deputy prime minister level to perform its role properly. This is my conviction." In response, on the 11th, Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, criticized on his Facebook, saying, "We are no longer the opposition," and "Please refrain from lightly criticizing or pointing out the presidential election pledges," sparking internal party debate.

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