Minister Jeong Young-ae: "Regrettable to Strengthen Gender Conflict... The Role of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is Important"

Held First Press Conference on 100 Days in Office
"Will Consult with Related Ministries to Improve Limitations of Stalking Punishment Law"
"Need to Improve Gender Discrimination Structure in Society... Role of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is Important"

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending a press conference held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 14th, greeting attendees.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Jung Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said about the Stalking Punishment Act set to be enforced in September, "We are preparing to establish legal grounds related to victim protection."

On the 14th, Minister Jung stated at a meeting with reporters from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, "We will work to improve the issues by consulting with the Ministry of Justice, the National Police Agency, and others regarding the limitations of the Stalking Punishment Act, such as the inclusion of the provision for offenses that cannot be prosecuted without the victim's complaint and the absence of victim protection orders."

Minister Jung added, "While preparing to address both stalking punishment and victim protection together, victim protection was delayed as the punishment law was enacted first."

Regarding the abortion penalty provisions that lost effect from January, Minister Jung said, "There is a need for counseling manuals related to women and youth in crisis at the field level, so we are preparing them, and we are negotiating to apply universal health insurance to remove medical barriers for women who need abortions."

Although the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is marking its 20th anniversary this year, many still advocate for its abolition, and gender conflicts among younger generations such as those in their teens and twenties are worsening day by day. Minister Jung said, "The most regrettable part is the strengthening of gender conflicts between men and women, but we will listen to and reflect the voices of young people and their dissatisfaction with the Ministry's policies."

Minister Jung explained, "It is not a zero-sum game; both men and women can win, and when one side is discriminated against, individual dignity and respect for human rights are violated. A culture of awareness and consideration must be established. We will promote policies so that the (gender) conflict issues among youth can serve as a starting point to enhance inclusiveness and fairness throughout our society."

Regarding calls for the abolition of the Ministry, Minister Jung explained, "It may be because we have not sufficiently conveyed the Ministry's roles and policies, but gender discrimination structures and the need for improvement still remain in our society. Active roles are necessary to resolve and alleviate gender conflicts, and the Ministry's role remains important to move toward an inclusive society."

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is also scheduled to announce the 4th Basic Plan for Healthy Families at the end of this month, which includes legally recognizing various new forms of families such as unmarried and cohabiting families.

Minister Jung said, "It was not easy to reach interdepartmental agreement on changing the concept of family. Although there is agreement that discrimination against diverse families should not exist, traditional family concepts remain firmly established. We will do our best to improve systems that fail to keep up with reality."