[2023 National Audit] When Asked About Budget Cuts for 'Violence Against Women' at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Kim Hyun-sook Says "No Functional Issues at All"

Stalking Incident Within Ministry of Gender Equality "Handled Strictly"
Youth Budget "Local Government Infrastructure Exists Beyond Budget"

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook stated regarding the stalking incident that occurred within the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF), "I can confidently say that it was handled strictly according to the victim-centered principle." She also responded that there is 'no functional problem' concerning the budget cuts related to violence against women and youth.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Minister Kim appeared at the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee’s audit and responded to People Power Party lawmaker Choi Yeon-sook’s question, "Regarding the stalking incident involving a MOGEF employee, why was only a minor disciplinary action taken?" with the above statement.

According to a media report earlier that day, male official B, who stalked and sexually harassed female MOGEF employee A, received a three-month salary reduction as disciplinary action. In March, A reportedly reported internally that she was being stalked, prompting MOGEF to conduct an internal investigation.

Minister Kim said, "(Within MOGEF) the incident was taken seriously, and we did our best in handling it," adding, "The victim is extremely concerned about the incident becoming public. Please understand that it is difficult to discuss this in the standing committee."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Yi-won criticized, asking, "Have measures been put in place to prevent recurrence?" and "Was separation action taken?"

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook is reviewing documents at the National Assembly Gender Equality and Family Committee's audit on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

During the audit, criticism also continued regarding the budget cuts at MOGEF. Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in said, "At last year’s Policy Communication Meeting for the Promotion of Rights, it was stated that support for victims of the five major types of violence would be strengthened, but Minister Kim has reduced the budget for support for female victims of violence for next year to ruins," pointing out, "Outwardly, there is talk of solidarity with the vulnerable and eradicating the five major types of violence, but behind the scenes, the budget was cut."

In response, Minister Kim said, "We are thinking of conducting activities more efficiently," adding, "Even if the projects are transferred, there is absolutely no problem with our functions." She continued, "Functions depend on how well the projects are efficiently allocated," and stated, "I want to say that support for stalking victims is being strengthened and that the five major types of violence are being restructured."

When Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young questioned, "The entire budget related to domestic violence was cut," Deputy Minister Lee Ki-soon replied, "The budget was cut as part of a plan to unify it under the Ministry of Justice." He further explained, "It was judged to be more efficient to unify the budgets of the courts and the Ministry of Justice, which are responsible for punishment," and added, "We will coordinate more closely between ministries to ensure there are no blind spots."

Regarding the youth budget cuts, Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jung-bok asked, "There are youths in the Republic of Korea, so why was the budget cut like this?" Kim Kwon-young, MOGEF’s Youth Policy Officer, responded, "In the case of youth projects, besides the budget we provide, local governments have their own infrastructure," and said, "Adjustments were made during the Ministry of Strategy and Finance’s review process."

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