[Q&A] Kim Hyun-sook "Limited High-Level Officials... Need to Establish a New Ministry for 'Population + Family'"

Urgent Shift to a 'Work-Family Balance Society'
Considering Introduction of Preliminary Family-Friendly Certification Stage
Further Discussion Needed on Expanding Incentives

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, pointed out on the 6th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, during a meeting with Asia Economy, that the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee (LFASC), which has played the role of a control tower for population issues, has limitations due to its nature as a committee. She emphasized, "A ministry combining population and family is necessary." In this case, under the current system, there is a high possibility that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which is responsible for the family sector, will be absorbed and reorganized.

Gender Equality Project - Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

▼Below is the Q&A.

- It has been almost two years since you became the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. If you had to pick one issue you most want to resolve during your term, what would it be?

▲ Although the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family handles various tasks, family affairs are being strengthened, and many of these are directly linked to low fertility. Therefore, I strongly hope that South Korea rapidly transitions into a society where 'work and family coexist.'

Since marriage and childbirth have already become choices in society, a culture must be established where people feel that even if they get a job, marry, and have children, they can maintain their position and career. Our society is gradually changing, but I think it is still slow. In this regard, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will accelerate efforts significantly this year.

- How do you assess the role of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in solving low fertility and population issues?

▲ With the current functions, I see it as a 'support' role. Population issues are scattered across various ministries, with the main ministries being the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee. Among these, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plays an important role in spreading a culture where work and family coexist.

In particular, starting this year, the Ministry plans to increase the number of family-friendly certified small and medium enterprises from the current 1% (4,110 companies) to 10% (about 40,000 companies). This is an issue that requires collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and others.

- Do you have specific implementation plans?

▲ We are currently considering creating a 'preliminary family-friendly certification' stage with lower standards than the current family-friendly certification. For example, if certification requires meeting about 10 criteria, the new stage would certify companies that meet at least 5 criteria. By lowering the entry barrier, companies can start participating, creating an atmosphere that encourages more involvement in family-friendly programs.

- The LFASC has existed for 20 years, playing the role of discussing low fertility issues. Recently, it has been criticized for unclear achievements. What is your view on the LFASC continuing its role in the current manner?

▲ That is why I believe a dedicated population ministry is necessary. The committee lacks authority over legislation and budget allocation. Although the LFASC does a lot and makes efforts, its committee form may have made it difficult to function effectively. The reason both ruling and opposition parties have pledged to establish a population ministry in their election promises is the same.

- The Women's and Family Committee's legislative subcommittee in the National Assembly has not convened for eight months. There are claims that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's role is necessary. How do you assess the current situation?

▲ I think it is time for the ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement and process it quickly. Blaming the ministry back and forth seems like a political stance. We have repeatedly asked both ruling and opposition parties to open the legislative subcommittee and handle important livelihood bills, which I believe is a crucial role of the National Assembly.

- When meeting small and medium enterprises, they say the incentives for family-friendly certified companies are insufficient. It is also pointed out that incentives vary by local governments and institutions. Are you considering unifying benefits or expanding their scope?

▲ Discussions on incentives are certainly necessary. Companies I visited often mentioned the need for corporate tax reductions or tax credits. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is well aware of how serious the low fertility issue is, so I believe discussions can proceed more smoothly.

- You mentioned expanding childcare services. Is this feasible with the current budget?

▲ The budget for the currently operating childcare services increased by 113.2 billion won, nearly 30%, compared to last year. The problem is that the law has not yet passed in the National Assembly. Once the law passes, a certification system can be introduced for private childcare helpers, enabling quality management.

- Is there more the ministry can do to address women's career discontinuity?

▲ The Women's New Employment Centers provide employment incentives if companies maintain interns for more than nine months. The centers also conduct follow-up management at six and twelve-month intervals for those employed as interns. There are 159 New Employment Centers nationwide, though regional disparities exist. This year, we plan to connect with local industrial complexes to link more regionally appropriate jobs.

- You have continuously emphasized the importance of work-family balance. Is this an area where the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family can play a significant role?

▲ Ultimately, to achieve good work-family balance, a culture of gender equality is very important. A culture of working together and caring together must be established throughout society.

- How long do you expect to serve as minister?

▲ I do not know. I think whoever takes the position will do well.

- You announced consideration of introducing a 'child support advance payment system.' How far has the discussion progressed?

▲ Currently, in the National Assembly, Rep. Jeong Kyung-hee of the People Power Party has proposed holding a 'one-point National Assembly' in February. There seems to be little disagreement between ruling and opposition parties on advance payment. If the law passes, I believe it can gain momentum quickly.

- Last year, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's budget for women's sexual violence counseling centers was significantly reduced. There are concerns that integration of domestic violence and sexual violence counseling centers will reduce staff and support.

▲ The integration of counseling centers was due to the issue of fund duplication. Domestic violence counseling centers use the Gender Equality Fund, while sexual violence counseling centers use the Ministry of Justice's Crime Victim Protection Fund, so integrated operation was necessary. With combined funds, sexual violence counseling centers will also move to integrated counseling centers. Rather, the number of workers will increase, and the quality of services will improve.

- What is your opinion on Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, who last month announced a pledge for mandatory military service for new female public officials?

▲ Given the expected reduction in military personnel due to low fertility and population decline, increasing professional soldiers is necessary. However, mandatory conscription of female enlisted soldiers requires very careful social consensus beforehand.

- How do you view support measures such as the 'childbirth support fund' proposed as election pledges in the National Assembly?

▲ I have also researched cash support. While childbirth incentive payments are not entirely ineffective, discussions about their effectiveness have disappeared since about 7-8 years ago. Simple cash support alone cannot solve the problem. In cases of extreme poverty, cash support might encourage childbirth, but South Korea is not such a country now. Systems like childcare at schools and the ability to take leave when children are sick at work must be in place to support childbirth.

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