Washington Post "Gender Equality in Korea Among the Lowest in Advanced Countries in Terms of Wages, Political Progress, and Economic Participation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The Washington Post (WP) reported that during the joint press conference of the South Korea-US summit, when a question about the 'male-dominated cabinet' was raised, President Yoon Seok-yeol showed signs of hesitation and "appeared uncomfortable."
On the 21st (local time), WP published an article titled "South Korean President Appears Uncomfortable When Pressed on Gender Inequality," describing President Yoon's reaction to questions about gender equality as "standing still for a moment before attempting to respond."
At the previous day's joint press conference, a WP journalist asked President Yoon, "Currently, your cabinet (Yoon Seok-yeol administration) consists mostly of men rather than women," and inquired, "What plans do you have to improve female representation in an economic powerhouse like South Korea?"
After a brief pause, President Yoon responded, "In the public sector, for example, when it comes to cabinet ministers, women have not advanced to those positions until recently," adding, "It is because fair opportunities for women have only recently begun to be actively guaranteed. We intend to more actively ensure such opportunities."
WP pointed out in the article that "South Korea ranks among the lowest in advanced countries in terms of wage equality, political advancement, and economic participation," noting that "the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's cabinet is overwhelmingly male at both ministerial and vice-ministerial levels." Among the 19 cabinet members including the Prime Minister, only 3 are women, and among 41 vice-ministerial and equivalent officials, only 2 are women.
The media also referenced a past written interview with President Yoon. WP reported, "When we asked President Yoon (then president-elect) in April about promoting gender equality, he acknowledged that 'Korean society has somewhat lagged in providing equal opportunities to women.' President Yoon also stated, 'I have a clear principle that political and social actions, gender issues, and ensuring opportunities for women should follow global standards.'"
Meanwhile, a presidential office official explained during a briefing on the 22nd that regarding President Yoon's response at the press conference that he would "actively guarantee (women's) opportunities," when reporters asked if this meant he acknowledged "structural gender discrimination," the official said, "It is not a matter of whether he acknowledged or denied (structural gender discrimination); he spoke immediately after hearing the question, so please interpret it as it is." The official added, "President Yoon's answer expressed his intention to continue efforts to ensure women have fair opportunities in the future."
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