Yoon Considers Women for Education and Welfare Ministers... Shift to 'Merit-Based' Appointments

Concerns Raised Inside and Outside the Presidential Office Over 'Seo-O-Nam' Personnel
"Women's Work Evaluations Were Not Properly Conducted," Opinions Reflected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol has decided to prioritize female candidates for the positions of Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, as well as Minister of Health and Welfare. This signals a potential shift in the Yoon administration's personnel policy, which had been focused on meritocracy and often characterized by the term 'Seo-o-nam' (Seoul National University graduate, in their 50s, male).

According to the presidential office on the 26th, President Yoon has established a policy to give priority to women when appointing the remaining ministers and vice ministers. A presidential office official explained, "This does not mean appointing women unconditionally, but rather taking into account concerns that women have not been properly evaluated due to disadvantages experienced during their work process."

During the transition period of the presidential office, President Yoon insisted on merit-based appointments and distanced himself from policies such as female quotas and regional balancing. However, as the first cabinet was concluding, criticisms regarding the new government's personnel framework, including neglect of women and the Honam region, continued. Notably, during the U.S.-South Korea summit on the 21st, a Washington Post (WP) reporter pointed out the new government's 'male dominance.'

Nevertheless, immediately after the U.S.-South Korea summit, President Yoon stated at a press conference, "It has not been long since fair opportunities for women began to be actively guaranteed," and added, "We intend to guarantee these opportunities more actively." Furthermore, at a recent dinner with the National Assembly leadership, he expressed a different stance from the previous personnel policy by saying, "We will boldly provide opportunities to women in public office appointments."

This changed personnel policy is expected to be reflected in the appointments of the Minister of Education and Minister of Health and Welfare, positions that remain vacant due to candidate withdrawals. The presidential office has begun the process of vetting candidates for these ministerial posts. For the new Minister of Health and Welfare, candidates with medical backgrounds who have experience in large hospitals are being considered, while for the Minister of Education, priority is reportedly being given to 'fairness and common sense,' taking into account the previous candidate's withdrawal.

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