[Women’s Forum 10th Anniversary] Kim Bu-gyeom: "We Must Put Our Heads Together to Find Solutions to Inequality and Discrimination"

Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom's Congratulatory Address at the 2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum emphasized that "everyone must put their heads together to find solutions" to inequality and discrimination in our society. He particularly urged female leaders to have a spirit of challenge, stating that "women's capabilities are Korea's capabilities."

In his congratulatory speech at the ‘2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum’ held on the 27th at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, Prime Minister Kim said, "We cannot talk about inclusive recovery while leaving issues surrounding socially vulnerable groups and women as they are." ▶Related articles on pages 5, 6, and 7

Prime Minister Kim diagnosed that amid the COVID-19 situation, as our society rapidly shifted to a contactless economy, the burden of care on women increased, leading to serious career interruptions, and consequently, the space for women in our society has further diminished. He expressed concern, saying, "Many efforts made to expand women's participation in society are at risk of being wasted, and the value of gender equality, cultivated over a long time, is threatened by anger and conflict amid intensifying competition."

The solution he proposed to overcome this wave of crisis is for leaders to fulfill their roles as true leaders. Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Leaders must throw themselves into their roles, look ahead to the future, and bear the heavy responsibility of constantly caring for their neighbors."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Sang-hee, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jung Young-ae, and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy on the 27th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On this day, he especially urged nearly 100 female mentors and mentees attending the Asia Women Leaders Forum to have a spirit of challenge. He said, "Women's capabilities are Korea's capabilities," and that when women dream new dreams and freely take on challenges, the happiness of our community will also grow. He continued, "Do not be discouraged or frustrated by difficult realities, but have great confidence that ‘I am the key talent who will lead the future’ and do your best in everything," and urged them to "instill courage and hope that ‘prejudice and discrimination are nothing.’"

Hyun Sang-soon, chairman of Asia Economy, said in his opening remarks, "Life with COVID-19 and the era of With-Corona (gradual recovery of daily life) is now a reality," adding, "This is a place to re-examine women's leadership that actively responds to the rapidly changing times and to seek future strategies." He also stated, "Through the Asia Women Leaders Forum, we will play a greater role in eliminating remaining discrimination in Korean society and fostering female leaders."

Founded in 2012, the Asia Women Leaders Forum celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and is regarded as a representative platform for women's networking in Korea. This year, under the major theme of ‘Era of Transition: Change of Leaders,’ about 30 prominent female mentors from various fields of society and about 70 mentees preparing to become next-generation leaders gathered in one place for heated discussions.