Kim Hyun-sook on 'Structural Gender Discrimination' Question: "Not Appropriate to Refer to President-elect's Remarks"

Kim Hyun-sook "Efforts Needed to Address Labor Market Inequity and Career Interruptions"
Yoon Avoids Responding to Remarks on 'No Structural Gender Discrimination'

Kim Hyun-sook, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending the press conference announcing the appointment of ministerial candidates for eight ministries of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, responding to reporters' questions. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim Hyun-sook, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, expressed the position that 'structural gender discrimination exists' in Korean society.

On the 22nd, in the response materials for the confirmation hearing received by Yoo Jeong-ju, a member of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Kim stated regarding the 'structural gender discrimination experienced by women in Korean society' that "although laws and systems have been considerably improved, efforts are needed to resolve issues such as unfairness in the labor market and career interruptions caused by childbirth and childcare."

This contrasts with President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's statement in a media interview that "there is no longer structural gender discrimination." Regarding his remarks, Kim responded, "I think it is not appropriate to comment on the President-elect's statements."

Assembly member Yoo Jeong-ju said, "The nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family appointed by President-elect Yoon also agreed that ‘structural gender discrimination’ exists," adding, "Nevertheless, the fact that the ministerial nominee, who will implement the President-elect's pledges as national policy, cannot express opinions due to the reason that it is ‘not appropriate’ to comment on the President-elect's remarks raises questions about whether this is out of deference to the President-elect's mood, and whether even if appointed as minister, they will be able to speak frankly on current issues without being overly cautious of the President."

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