Candidate Kim Hyun-sook: "Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality is Not the End of Women's Policies"

Continued Emphasis on Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality's Organizational 'Framework'
"Not About Abandoning Women's Policies or Eliminating Functions and Authority"
"Thorough Review Needed for Transferring Women's Rights to the Ministry of Justice"
"Must Serve as Control Tower for Child, Youth, and Family Policies"

Kim Hyun-sook, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, attended the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 11th and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim Hyun-sook, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, stated that "the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) does not mean the abolition of women's policies."

At the confirmation hearing held on the 11th at the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee, Kim responded to questions from People Power Party lawmakers Kim Mi-ae and Jeon Ju-hye asking if the abolition of MOGEF meant the abolition of women's policies by saying, "No," and explained, "It is a priority to provide sufficient explanation to avoid misunderstandings."

Regarding the part of the government organization law amendment proposed by People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong that transfers women's rights-related duties to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Kim said, "I think sufficient review is necessary."

On the direction of MOGEF's abolition and reorganization, she said, "I think it is necessary to abolish the current framework."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook criticized, "The functions of MOGEF can be strengthened where insufficient, but the nominee insists on abolishing MOGEF without filling any content, showing an irresponsible attitude."

In response, Kim said, "I do not think it is irresponsible; I believe it is a careful effort to pioneer a new paradigm."

Opposition lawmakers expressed concerns that dispersing women's rights duties to other ministries, as proposed in the government organization law amendment by floor leader Kwon, could create blind spots.

Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Yi-won-young said, "In the amendment, comprehensive women's policy and planning duties have disappeared, and if women's rights duties are divided among three ministries, these duties must be delegated by presidential decree. The ministries responsible for seven laws will disappear, inevitably creating blind spots."

Kim responded, "We will thoroughly review the rights-related duties, and there will be no disappearance of legal provisions."

Kim also expressed the opinion that while the abolition of MOGEF is necessary, the various child and family-related duties scattered across multiple ministries should be consolidated, with MOGEF acting as the control tower.

Kim said, "MOGEF's duties are fragmented, and there are many tasks to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Employment and Labor, but MOGEF has very few projects it can lead proactively. I think instead of transferring all the duties MOGEF should handle to other ministries, we need to integrate, organize, and unify them to create a control tower."

She also stated that the government will continue to promote initiatives included in President Yoon Seok-yeol's national agenda, such as strengthening support for at-risk youth, reducing the childcare burden for single-parent families, and supporting diverse families.

Kim said, "Multicultural family policies are shifting from focusing on migrant women to supporting their children. Mid- to long-term efforts are needed to establish infrastructure and systems to nurture them as global leaders."

She added, "The implementation of childcare expenses for single-parent families is a financial issue, but in the short term, we will discuss with financial authorities about raising support to reduce the economic burden on parents raising children alone."

Opposition lawmakers also criticized the Yoon administration for conducting ministerial confirmation hearings without a blueprint for reorganization while advocating for the abolition of ministries.

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoo Jeong-joo said, "If there was a reason for abolition, the transition committee should have conducted confirmation hearings for the new ministry ministers based on a convincing plan for the public. There was no alternative or preparation for the ministry's direction. It is deplorable that we have to verify the head of MOGEF, which has been stigmatized as a temporary ministry."

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