Candidate Kim Hyun-sook: "Despite 20 Years of Ministry of Gender Equality, Global Gender Gap Index Declined"

President Yoon Avoids Direct Answer on Agreement with 'No Structural Gender Discrimination'
Ha Tae-kyung Says "I Do Not Agree" with 'Term-Limited Minister' Remark

Kim Hyun-sook, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 11th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On the 11th, Kim Hyun-sook, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said, "Although the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has existed for 20 years, I question whether the Global Gender Gap Index has improved."

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee that day, when opposition party lawmakers asked whether she agreed with President Yoon Seok-yeol's statement that "there is no structural gender discrimination," Kim responded, "Since the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family existed, I would like to discuss with the lawmakers why things have not improved and why the Global Gender Gap Index has fallen to 102nd place."

The Global Gender Gap Index and the gender wage gap are representative indicators mentioned regarding structural gender discrimination. According to the World Economic Forum's report last year, South Korea ranked 102nd out of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. The Gender Gap Index measures women's status relative to men, who are set as the baseline, in areas such as economic participation rates and the proportion of ministers and lawmakers. South Korea's gender wage gap ranks among the lowest within the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

When asked to give a short answer on whether she agreed with President Yoon Seok-yeol's statement during his candidacy that "there is no structural gender discrimination," Kim avoided a direct answer, saying, "It is not appropriate to comment on the President's remarks."

Kim said, "I believe the President's statement that there is no structural gender discrimination in our country was based on looking at the Global Gender Gap Index."

Regarding Rep. Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party's radio broadcast comment that Kim is a "time-limited minister" and should resign after announcing a roadmap to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Kim replied, "I do not agree."

Kim clearly stated that she agrees with the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. She said, "Unless there are special reasons, I think it is right to fulfill the pledge and keep the promise made to the people."

Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party also pointed out, "Appointing a minister to a ministry that is being abolished does seem to make the role and responsibility ambiguous."

In response, Kim said, "The principle of abolition is clear, but I understood it as a directive to listen to various opinions on which direction to take, gather opinions from both ruling and opposition parties, and design it reasonably to reach consensus."

When asked what instructions the President gave at the time of her nomination, Kim said, "He told me to enter the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, closely examine its functions, and listen to public opinion on how to improve this issue."

Kim was unable to provide specific answers regarding the direction of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's reorganization and future schedule.

Kim said, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's work is fragmented, and there are many parts that require collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Employment and Labor, so I get the impression that the Ministry acts more like a secondary ministry with very few projects it can lead proactively."

She added, "Rather, I have been thinking in reverse about what tasks can be strengthened and focused on. I believe that instead of transferring the Ministry's responsibilities to other ministries, they should be integrated and organized to create a control tower."