Yeoseongguk Merger and Quota System Abolition... Lee Jun-seok's 'Fairness' Put to the Test

Merged Women's, Youth, and Functional Bureaus into Future Bureau
Abolished Quotas for Women and Youth Nominations in Local Elections
"Criticism of Causing Social Conflict and Rallying Support"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park and Hyunju Lee] As Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, accelerates party reforms ahead of the local elections, his concept of 'fairness' is once again put to the test. While the intention is to operate the party based on ability, there is an aspect of dismantling institutional safeguards that the existing political sphere has built to achieve social equality. Attention is focused on whether Leader Lee can realize gender equality in politics without the existing buffer mechanisms.

According to the People Power Party on the 26th, the party recently merged three departments within the central secretariat?the Women, Youth, and Professional Sectors?into a newly established 'Future Bureau.' Personnel reassignments followed accordingly. The party explained this as an 'organizational restructuring.' A representative from Lee’s side said, "Due to manpower shortages caused by dispatches to the Presidential Transition Committee and preparations for the local elections, the party merged departments for more efficient operation." A party representative from the leader’s office also emphasized, "On the contrary, by appointing the director of the Women’s Bureau (at deputy director level) as the head of the Future Bureau, the status of the Women’s Bureau was elevated."

However, concerns have arisen both inside and outside the party. This is largely due to Lee’s announcement on the 24th that the party would not apply quotas for women, youth, and other groups in the upcoming local election nominations. At that time, Lee stated, "Rather than quotas for minorities such as the younger generation, women, and people with disabilities, we aim to create an environment where fair competition is possible." He also explained that this follows the personnel principles of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who has made the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family a key pledge and national agenda. Regarding the recent organizational restructuring, a People Power Party official said, "It seems to have been done without internal consultation, which was disconcerting."

The 'principle of fairness' mentioned by Lee rejects artificial distinctions based on gender and aims to open the door of opportunity to everyone. The idea is that anyone with ability should be given the same chance. However, critics argue that this resembles 'formal equality,' which excludes historical discrimination based on gender and age. They point out that 'equality of outcome,' which requires affirmative action until disadvantaged groups can access the same status as privileged groups, has been ignored.

Gender studies scholar Heo Min-sook explained, "The quota system is being misrepresented as if women entering society are free riders without ability," adding, "Women are not less capable than men, but in reality, less than 30% are nominated, so the goal is to achieve gender equality." She further criticized, "The meritocracy that Leader Lee talks about is not true meritocracy," calling it "a political method that stirs social conflict while rallying his support base." According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as of last year, the proportion of female lawmakers in South Korea is 19%. Although it has steadily increased from 13% in the 17th National Assembly in 2004, it remains in the lower ranks globally at 121st place.

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