President Lee Orders Gender Ministry to Research Discrimination Against Young Men and Develop Countermeasures

President Lee Jae Myung has instructed the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to research the discrimination issues faced by young men and to develop countermeasures.

President Lee Jae Myung is entering the Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the meeting minutes released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on July 16, President Lee stated at the Cabinet meeting held on June 10 that "there has been no official discussion anywhere regarding the areas where men feel discriminated against," and added, "Since the Ministry is being expanded and reorganized as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, although it will mainly focus on women's policies, please review ways to research and develop countermeasures for discrimination against men in certain areas."

Vice Minister Shin Youngsook responded, "Although there is no dedicated department, we recognize this as a serious issue and have conducted an analysis of 'gender conflict.' Young men, in particular, experience a period of loss due to mandatory military service, and they have become sensitive to the fact that their own grievances are not being addressed."

President Lee also instructed Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyuhong to report on the impact of reverse discrimination experienced by young men on suicide rates.

Meanwhile, President Lee asked then Vice Minister of Justice Kim Seokwoo to review the 'visa special exemption system,' noting, "There has been social discussion about allowing second-generation mixed-race individuals of Korean descent from Vietnam who wish to come to Korea."

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