[On-site Video] "It's Okay Without It" vs "Gained Gender Hate Votes" Controversy Over Ministry of Gender Equality Abolition, Youth Opinions

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Jungwan Kim, PD Jingeun Yoon] "There is no problem even without the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," "They gained votes by promoting gender hatred."

President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his intention to pursue the pledge related to the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF), which he proposed during the presidential election, saying, "Hasn't the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family fulfilled its historical mission as a ministry?"

On the 13th, President-elect Yoon made these remarks while announcing the first personnel appointments of the transition team at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. When asked by reporters about how to overcome opposition from both ruling and opposition parties regarding the pledge to abolish MOGEF, he said, "I believe it is currently difficult to solve crimes and unfair issues that women or men face in specific situations by collectively categorizing them as women and men and treating those groups equally."

Opinions among citizens are divided. Some advocate for abolishing MOGEF to create a more efficient government ministry, while others express concerns that abolishing MOGEF could create blind spots for socially vulnerable groups.

Lee Kyung-jun (22), a man in his 20s, said, "I think it doesn't matter if the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family disappears," adding, "The name itself sounds biased. I think the necessary tasks of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family could be transferred to other departments."

Another citizen in their 20s, A (24), said, "I understood that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family does not have clear missions compared to other departments and that it consumes a lot of budget," adding, "I think it would be better to abolish that ministry and invest the budget in defense or other better areas."

There are also concerns that related support might be cut off or welfare policies shaken due to the abolition of MOGEF. Heo Ji-soo (24) said, "If the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family disappears, socially vulnerable groups and single-parent families might be the most troubled," expressing, "I first wondered whether the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family could really be abolished."

Shin Yu-rim (25) said, "I think candidate Yoon Seok-yeol gained votes by promoting gender hatred," adding, "Even if other government departments take over the tasks of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, I doubt they can perform as well as the existing ministry." She continued, "My biggest concern and doubt is whether help can be provided to socially disadvantaged groups, children, and women."

Meanwhile, criticism arose from the Democratic Party regarding President-elect Yoon's pledge to abolish MOGEF. On the 12th, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae wrote on his Facebook, "Abolishing MOGEF will not be that easy," and claimed, "Not everything will go according to Yoon Seok-yeol's wishes." He also emphasized, "The Government Organization Act must pass through the National Assembly."