"National Assembly Also Commits to Gender Equality" Kim Sang-hee Vice Speaker and 101 Members Submit 'Action Resolution'

Mandatory 30% Quota for Female Candidates in Local Constituency National Assembly Elections

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A "Resolution for the Realization of a Gender-Equal National Assembly" has been submitted as part of efforts to address the underrepresentation of women in politics.

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, announced on the 28th that the resolution, supported by 101 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, was submitted to the National Assembly the previous day. Deputy Speaker Kim stated, "The National Assembly must take the lead to ensure equal political participation of women and men and to improve the representation of women who have been underrepresented."

This resolution is based on a report prepared after the "Gender-Equal National Assembly Advisory Committee," appointed by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok in January with former lawmaker Lee Mi-kyung as chairperson and composed of 11 expert members, conducted its activities. The main points include ▲mandatory 30% nomination of women in electoral districts ▲recommendation that 30% of committee chairpersons and floor leaders in the National Assembly be women ▲establishment of a gender-equality ethics code for lawmakers ▲formation of a cross-party "All Women Lawmakers' Meeting" ▲creation of a dedicated gender-equality organization ▲establishment of a gender-equal working environment for National Assembly staff ▲enhancement of the status of the National Assembly Human Rights Center, among six key measures.

Deputy Speaker Kim said, "I believe that equal representation of women and men is a fundamental principle for a fair representative democracy," adding, "I hope the 21st National Assembly will quickly adopt this resolution in the plenary session so that it can be established as a gender-equal National Assembly."