President Yoon Orders "Prompt Preparation of Roadmap for Abolishing Ministry of Gender Equality and Family"

Yoon Mentions Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Abolition First in Kim Hyun-sook's Work Report

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 25th, President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed, "Conduct a comprehensive review of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's (MOGEF) duties and promptly establish a roadmap for its abolition."

President Yoon made this statement during a briefing by Minister Kim Hyun-sook of MOGEF at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in the afternoon, according to Kang In-sun, spokesperson for the Presidential Office. Minister Kim's briefing to the president lasted about two hours starting from 3 p.m.

This marks the reintroduction of the pledge to abolish MOGEF, which was a campaign promise during President Yoon's presidential candidacy. The 20th Presidential Transition Committee's announcement of 110 national tasks for the new government on May 3 did not include the pledge to abolish MOGEF.

Following criticism that this was a broken promise, President-elect Yoon, through the spokesperson office on May 5, two days later, stated, "We remain committed to fulfilling the promise to abolish MOGEF to keep our promise to the people," adding, "However, this will be pursued after a thorough review of the functions and roles performed by MOGEF, led by the minister, and sufficient social discussion."

It is known that Minister Kim did not separately report on the abolition of the ministry during the briefing. When asked during the briefing, "During the transition committee, there was no clear mention of abolishing MOGEF in the selection of national tasks. Please explain specifically what parts the president emphasized," she replied, "I did not report on that."

She continued, "Regarding the abolition of MOGEF, we had formed a strategic promotion team within the ministry and were holding expert meetings, planning to take ample time. However, I understood that the president said, 'It would be better to present a plan promptly within a short time.'"

Regarding the question, "By when did the president request this? Since this involves revising the Government Organization Act, was there any instruction related to the transfer of MOGEF's duties?" she answered, "The Government Organization Act is not something that can be decided solely by MOGEF; multiple ministries, especially the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, need to provide their opinions. I understood the president’s statement today as a directive to present a prompt roadmap."

President Yoon also urged, "In this difficult economic crisis, carefully consider and expand support for vulnerable groups such as single-parent families," and added, "Respond proactively to changes in family types such as the increase in single-person and elderly households, and actively develop family services."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "Collaborate with relevant ministries to ensure thorough protection of victims against sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence."