Public Officials Joining the Ranks Supporting the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

"Should Have Gone to Sejong" Backlash and Other Effects
Calls for Adjustment and Reorganization Rather Than Abolition

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol reiterated his pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, stating, "Isn't it time for the ministry to fulfill its historical mission?" Meanwhile, on the 14th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the Government Seoul Office, facing a crossroads regarding its existence, is stirring unrest amid a restless atmosphere. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee and Gong Byungseon] "Honestly, do you think the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is necessary? Its functions could be transferred to the Ministry of Health and Welfare or the Ministry of Employment and Labor."

This is a post recently uploaded on Blind, an anonymous community for office workers, by a current public official. This official, who supports the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, argued that other ministries can sufficiently carry out the tasks of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

A public official in their 20s, Mr. Im, also said, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family does not have any unique tasks, so it is often at risk of being abolished," adding, "Looking at what the ministry currently does, it does not seem to be performing roles that only it can handle." There was also an opinion that "We should respond that the ministry should not be abolished, but public opinion is so unfavorable that responding is almost impossible." Besides these, dozens of posts by public officials regarding the abolition of the ministry have been made. The officials who support the abolition share reasons similar to those stated by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who said the ministry's functions have already reached their limits.

Underlying this is dissatisfaction and resentment toward the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Unlike most ministries located in Sejong, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is situated in Seoul along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Financial Services Commission, currently occupying the 17th floor of the Government Seoul Office Building. A public official in their 40s working at a central ministry said, "I think it is appropriate for the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be located in the national capital, but I don't understand why the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has to be in Seoul." There are also sarcastic reactions such as, "They should have moved to Sejong; why are they sharing a table in Seoul?"

Within the government, there is more emphasis on organizational and functional restructuring rather than outright abolition. Mr. Lee, in his 30s working in an economic ministry, said, "It would be desirable to expand the functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to create a Ministry of Gender Equality," adding, "I expect that a separate agency might be established to address the worsening population issue." Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo of the transition committee also announced in his previously released presidential campaign pledge that the ministry would be reorganized into a Ministry of Gender Equality.

The team of President-elect Yoon is concerned about the issue of ‘abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’ being excessively highlighted. A spokesperson from Yoon’s team said, "In this election, we lost the votes of women in their 20s and 30s due to the abolition of the ministry, and if we push for the abolition too quickly, there are internal concerns that additional supporters may defect," adding, "Since criticism such as gender division is intensifying, we are considering designing an efficient system and transparently disclosing it."