Yoon Orders "Prepare a Roadmap for Abolition" Amid Upended Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

Post-Abolition Plans Omitted from Work Report
Urgent Need for Organizational Restructuring Following President Yoon's Directive
Key Issue: Form of Dedicated Women's Policy Organization

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] "The abolition details were not included in the work report, and no timeline was set."

"The President said, 'It would be best to present the plan as soon as possible.'

These were remarks made by Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) before and after her work report on the 25th. The situation rapidly changed after President Yoon Seok-yeol instructed to "promptly prepare a roadmap for the abolition of MOGEF." A source familiar with MOGEF affairs said on the 26th, "The mention of the 'abolition roadmap' during the private work report with the minister was intended to send a clear message," adding, "It gives the impression that the message was deliberately sent with the 20-something male (Itaedam) support base loss and approval rating decline in mind. Even if a roadmap is produced, it will be difficult to pass the Government Organization Act, so controversy will inevitably continue."

MOGEF is now facing an urgent situation. A MOGEF official said, "The abolition has already been discussed, and I understand that positive responses regarding family policies were also given during the work report," adding, "The roadmap for abolition must naturally be presented within this year, but there has been no clear directive on how to interpret the President's remarks." Last month, Minister Kim formed a 'Strategic Promotion Team' to independently create a reorganization plan following the abolition of MOGEF, gathering opinions from experts in youth, family, and rights sectors as well as local governments. They reviewed the status of women and family-related ministries in other countries and met with related organizations to hear their views. Since Minister Kim has acknowledged the necessity of the 'functions and roles' even if the MOGEF organization is abolished, the key issue will be how to establish a dedicated organization for women and gender equality policies while reflecting national agenda items as much as possible.

The MOGEF work report focused on family and youth policies, with gender equality policies not standing out. The gender-based labor disclosure, which was a national agenda item, was omitted, and there was no mention of the annual support projects for victims of Japanese military sexual slavery. This could also hint at the direction of reorganization after MOGEF’s abolition. Regarding this, Minister Kim explained, "Because the report was centered on national agenda items, it may appear that way," adding, "Support for employment of women with career interruptions and protection for victims of the five major types of violence were included in the work report."

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