Women's Groups Opposing the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality to Meet Ahn Cheol-soo

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President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol reiterated his pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, stating, "Hasn't the ministry fulfilled its historical mission by now?" Meanwhile, on the 14th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the Government Seoul Office, facing a crossroads regarding its existence, is stirring unrest amid a restless atmosphere. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Women's organizations opposing the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) are set to meet with Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition committee.

The Korean Women's Associations United, YWCA, and the Women's Voters Federation plan to hold a meeting with Chairman Ahn as early as the 30th regarding the pledge to abolish MOGEF. The transition committee has also stated it will arrange a session soon to gather opinions related to the organizational restructuring to be announced in early April.

A representative from the Korean Women's Associations United explained, "There is a consistent and strong stance advocating for the abolition of MOGEF, but women are key stakeholders in gender equality policies. Since it is necessary to carefully consider the system for promoting gender equality policies, we judged it important to directly convey these voices and thus requested the meeting."

However, there are concerns that the meeting with women's groups may be merely a formality, given President-elect Yoon Seok-youl's firm position on abolishing MOGEF.

The transition committee received a briefing on MOGEF's work on the 25th, but unlike other ministries which took about two hours, the session lasted only 30 minutes with no additional questions reportedly asked.

The committee is considering establishing a new 'Ministry of Family Welfare' by separating family policies from MOGEF and merging them with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Other proposals include abolishing MOGEF and creating a new Women's and Family Committee.

Women's organizations are actively holding related forums to raise public awareness against the abolition of MOGEF.

The Korean Women's Associations United will hold an emergency forum on the 30th titled "Diagnosis of the MOGEF Abolition Theory and Government Organizational Reform Plans for Gender Equality Policies." Professor Kang Isu of Sangji University and Professor Shin Kyunga of Hallym University will present on "Urgent Diagnosis of the MOGEF Abolition Theory," while Professor Kim Kyunghee of Chung-Ang University will discuss "Strengthening Gender Equality Policies and Reform Plans for MOGEF." Panelists include Hwang Jungmi, visiting researcher at Seoul National University Women's Studies Institute; Professor Park Hyeyoung of Dongseo University; Lee Hayoung, co-representative of the National Solidarity for the Resolution of Prostitution Issues; Choi Hyungsook, representative of the Single Mothers Association Intra for a Changed Future; and Kim Heekyung, executive director of the Korea Gender Budget Network.

The Women's Organizations Council will also hold a forum at the National Assembly on the 5th of next month titled "Abolition of MOGEF, What Are the Alternatives?" Attendees include Professor Lee Sujeong of Gyeonggi University’s Department of Criminal Psychology, who joined the People Power Party presidential campaign, former senior expert Cha Insun of the National Assembly Women and Family Committee, and former Vice Minister of MOGEF Lee Boksil.

Heo Myung, president of the Korean Women's Organizations Council, stated, "It is an urgent situation where the women's community itself must concretely discuss the abolition of MOGEF and its alternatives and derive realistic measures."

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