Outgoing Minister of Gender Equality's Candid Criticism: "Must Present Reasons for Abolition, Issues, and Alternatives"

Criticism of the Pledge to Abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality in Farewell Speech
Pointing Out the Exclusion of the Ministry of Gender Equality in the Transition Team Launch and National Agenda
Refuting Claims of Provoking Gender Conflict

Minister Jeong Young-ae of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 11th at the Minister's office in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Government Seoul Office Building. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, stated, "If one argues for the abolition of a government ministry that has been maintained for the past 20 years, I believe there should at least be reasons, problems, limitations, or alternatives presented."

In her farewell address released on the 9th, Minister Jeong left a pointed criticism toward the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which has pledged to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF). She pointed out, "During the entire period of the Presidential Transition Committee's activities, opportunities to report on or provide opinions about MOGEF's work were extremely limited," adding, "There are no tasks solely overseen by MOGEF in the national agenda, its role as the department overseeing gender equality policies has disappeared, the Ministry of Justice is the main agency for women's rights issues, the Ministry of Labor handles women's employment-related tasks, and youth affairs remain only partially under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, specifically for at-risk youth."

Minister Jeong acknowledged, "While there have been shortcomings or missteps in MOGEF's responses, we have done our utmost to correct them," and stated, "Such shortcomings are neither appropriate nor sufficient grounds to claim that MOGEF should be abolished or that it has fulfilled its historical mission." She identified ongoing challenges that MOGEF must address, including ▲ difficulties in balancing work and family life ▲ the M-shaped female economic activity participation rate ▲ the gender wage gap ▲ the low proportion of women in senior positions ▲ risks of sexual violence ▲ and the world's lowest birth rate.

Regarding claims that MOGEF has caused gender conflicts, Minister Jeong said, "The issue of 'gender conflict' is a politically amplified problem based on a misdiagnosis of its causes and is an uncomfortable term that ignores structural differences." She emphasized that issues raised by young people such as housing, employment, conscription, and treatment within the military "cannot be converged into or resolved as gender issues." She warned, "We must provide the right direction so that we do not fail to properly respond to real crises by dealing with incorrect perceptions of reality and imaginary adversaries."

Minister Jeong, the first holder of a Ph.D. in Women's Studies in Korea, has conducted research and activism in women's studies for 40 years. She took office on December 29, 2010, and completed her 496-day term.

The controversy surrounding the abolition of MOGEF and government reorganization continues. Kim Hyun-sook, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, responded in writing to the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee, stating, "I agree with the pledge to abolish MOGEF," and added, "If appointed as minister, I will strive to present a new paradigm for the ministry." Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, proposed an amendment to the Government Organization Act to abolish MOGEF and transfer youth and family affairs to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. On the 8th, a National Assembly petition opposing the abolition of MOGEF received 50,000 signatures and is now under review by the relevant standing committee.

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