Kim Hyun-sook "Reorganization of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family requires listening to many opinions and compromise"

"Hard to Propose Reorganization Plan Alone"
"Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Is Small but Handles Many Tasks and Is Sensitive on Gender Issues"
"Will Meet with Men to Resolve Gender Conflicts"
"Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Has No Investigative Authority on Senior Officials' Sexual Crime Cases"

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook is holding a child in the co-parenting room during her visit to Aeranwon, a single-parent family welfare facility located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 24th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said on the 24th regarding the ministry's organizational restructuring plan, "It is too early to discuss this now, and it is necessary to listen to many opinions and reach a compromise."

Minister Kim met with the press corps that day and said, "It is difficult to come up with a complete restructuring plan alone. Since I cannot decide by myself, I plan to listen to many opinions and hold meetings," adding, "It is still early to present a concrete plan by mid-next month, but I will discuss within the scope of what I can do."

Reflecting on her tenure since taking office at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Minister Kim said, "It is a small ministry but with many responsibilities," and added, "There are many areas that require meticulous work, but I will consider the organizational restructuring plan from a macro perspective." She also said, "Just because the ministry is small does not mean the work is less. It is a place where gender issues converge, so although there is a big difference in budget compared to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, I think it is a sensitive ministry both ideologically and in terms of issues. Both actions and words need to be cautious, and the staff are the same."

She emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's 'neutral role' regardless of political parties. Minister Kim said, "We do not act according to differences in political orientations, and I tell the staff to work with a neutral perspective as a ministry regardless of party affiliation."

Regarding measures to resolve gender conflicts, she explained, "There have been many meetings mainly with women so far, but efforts to narrow the gap between each other are necessary," adding, "There may be misunderstandings between each other, and many issues such as generational conflicts or economic problems are often expressed in this way (gender conflicts), so various efforts are needed. I plan to meet men and women evenly and act broadly." In her inaugural speech on the 17th, Minister Kim emphasized that resolving 'gender conflicts,' difficulties faced by the younger generation, and generational conflicts is the new role of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

When asked about plans to conduct a full investigation into sexual crimes by high-ranking officials including ministers, Minister Kim said, "Assemblywoman Jeon Ju-hye proposed a bill to establish an office to investigate high-ranking officials, but it is not the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family that conducts it, and it is not specified where (the investigation) will be conducted," adding, "I also asked to review existing bills, and said that it can be done only if there is authority. It could be the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family or the Ministry of Justice (as the investigative body), but I pointed out that there is no legal authority."

Meanwhile, regarding Yoon Jae-soon, Chief Secretary for General Affairs at the Presidential Office, who has a past record of sexual harassment and is in charge of sexual violence prevention education, Minister Kim said, "I think it is inappropriate," but regarding the recommendation for dismissal, she said, "It is the president's exclusive authority, so the president will decide."