Minister Kim Hyun-sook: "Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is clear, seeking ways to perform its functions and roles" (Comprehensive)

Minister Kim Hyun-sook's One-Month Inauguration Meeting
Forming 'Strategic Promotion Team' for Ministry of Gender Equality Reorganization
"No Plans to Rename the Ministry"
Conducting Research to Understand Gender Conflicts
Planning Town Hall Meeting with 2030 Generation Invited

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who marked one month in office, reaffirmed her position on abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) and is launching a 'Strategic Promotion Team' to create a reorganization plan for the ministry. To resolve gender conflict issues, the team will identify causes and hold direct communication sessions with the 2030 generation.

At a press briefing held near the Government Seoul Office on the 16th, Minister Kim said, "Considering the various limitations of MOGEF, abolition is clear," but added, "It does not mean the functions currently performed will disappear; rather, we will explore how to newly carry out these functions and roles."

Minister Kim stated, "There have been no concrete discussions regarding the abolition plan yet. After discussions, we will prepare a government organization law amendment bill, and MOGEF will review overseas cases and present a reorganization plan." She added, "Starting tomorrow, to propose a new paradigm for the ministry, we will operate a Strategic Promotion Team within MOGEF."

The Strategic Promotion Team will study expert opinions and overseas cases across policy areas such as women, rights, youth, and family, and prepare alternatives through field visits and meetings with related organizations. Minister Kim said, "It is important for MOGEF to regain public trust, operate social welfare policies for vulnerable groups more transparently and objectively, clearly demonstrate that these policies are functioning properly, and strengthen the feedback system."

Reflecting on her tenure since taking office, Minister Kim said, "The issues handled by MOGEF are diverse and include many socially sensitive topics, but I felt that manpower, budget, and authority were insufficient, and the given conditions were not easy." She also mentioned that after meeting consecutively with organizations related to single-parent families, multicultural families, out-of-school youth, and at-risk youth, there was a consensus that "MOGEF also needs to change." She plans to listen to opinions through a rights-related meeting with women's organizations in July.

Regarding the government organization law amendment bill proposed by Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, which includes transferring MOGEF’s functions to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Minister Kim said, "It is too early to comment now because we have just established the Strategic Promotion Team internally." She added, "I have never considered renaming the ministry. The Strategic Promotion Team will discuss how to network with other ministries and other related issues."

Minister Kim also announced plans to initiate a research project analyzing the causes of gender conflict. She said, "Experts have told us that gender conflict is an expression of difficulties faced by youth in employment and housing, and that addressing inequality is necessary. Many view the generational gap as an economic issue, so we need to analyze the causes closely and make efforts to resolve it scientifically through research." In addition to expert research, she plans to meet with ambassadors from Germany, the UK, and New Zealand to exchange opinions and understand overseas cases.

To hear directly from those involved in gender conflict, a 2030 town hall meeting will be held later this month. Minister Kim said, "To understand what differences in views between 2030 men and women have brought conflicts to the surface, we will actively communicate with youth and find points of difference and empathy. This is the first step to resolving conflicts." She added, "We will continue to meet to find effective solutions."

In response to criticism that internal and external confusion continues due to her repeated mention of abolition, Minister Kim said, "I have held meetings with section chiefs and divisions, and I feel that there is no problem or wavering in the current functions of MOGEF. We need to improve what we can with better methods."

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