With a Crushing Defeat in the General Election, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Survives by a Hair... Population Ministry Fails

A Sense of Relief Within the Ministry
Women's Groups and Others Say "It's Time to Stop Attempts to Abolish"
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family: "We Will Watch the National Assembly Discussions"

With the ruling party's crushing defeat in the 22nd general election, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's push to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) has been stalled. This is because it has become difficult to pass the National Assembly gate for the ministry's organizational restructuring, as the Democratic Party (including the Democratic United Party) and the Innovation Party of Justice hold a combined 187 seats, well over the majority. Inside MOGEF, there are cautious voices of relief, meaning they have 'survived' for now.

To abolish or reorganize government ministries, an amendment to the Government Organization Act must be passed in the National Assembly. This means that without the consent of the opposition party, the Democratic Party, which holds a majority of seats, it is difficult to process important issues such as ministry abolition, various bills, consent for appointments, and budget bills.

The Joint Action to Prevent the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family held a press conference condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration near the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on October 11, 2022. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Previously, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced a government organization restructuring plan in 2022, which included the abolition of MOGEF and the establishment of a ‘Population, Family, and Gender Equality Headquarters’ under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Ahead of this general election, the ruling party pledged to create a ‘Population Department’ at the vice-premier level to absorb MOGEF’s duties. Recently, MOGEF even appointed a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare as the first-level Planning and Coordination Officer, effectively starting practical work before the election.

Unlike the People Power Party, which put ministry abolition at the forefront, the Democratic Party made ‘strengthening MOGEF’ a policy pledge. The Democratic Party promised ▲ strengthening MOGEF’s legislative, budgetary, and organizational capabilities ▲ restoring youth budgets that had been cut as part of the process to dismantle MOGEF.

Kim Garo, MOGEF spokesperson, responded to reporters’ questions about the ministry’s operation plan after the general election by saying, "So far, there is no change in the policy to carry out the given tasks without disruption," and added, "Since government organization restructuring is a legislative matter, we need to watch the National Assembly discussions."

Inside the ministry, there are also reactions that abolition has become practically difficult. A MOGEF official said, "Employees are also relieved that the possibility of ministry abolition has decreased after this general election."

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Government Seoul Office. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In this regard, the Korean Women’s Associations United demanded, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government and the People Power Party must humbly accept the solemn judgment of the sovereign people, immediately stop attempts to abolish MOGEF, and completely change their anti-women policy stance to realize the state responsibility for gender equality."

Even if organizational restructuring such as ministry abolition does not occur, there is a possibility that efforts to reduce functions related to women’s rights and youth may continue. Although MOGEF’s budget this year increased by about 10% compared to the previous year, budgets for preventing violence against women, gender equality, and youth were drastically cut.

Heo Min-sook, a researcher at the National Assembly Legislative Research Office, said, "The ruling party was judged by the people, and especially ‘I-dae-nyeo’ (women in their 20s) almost unanimously voted for the opposition," adding, "Instead of emphasizing ministry abolition to gain votes, they should start thinking about presenting good plans to strengthen capabilities and enable proper work."

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