Ministry of the Interior and Safety to Become Headquarters Under Ministry of Health and Welfare After Abolishing Ministry of Gender Equality and Family... Government Organization Restructuring Plan Reported to Opposition Party

Noh "Expressed Concerns About Negotiation Power with Other Ministries if Ministry of Gender Equality is Abolished"
Supports Establishment of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Overseas Koreans Office

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A government reorganization plan that abolishes the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and places its related functions under a bureau within the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been reported to the opposition party. On the 5th, Han Chang-seop, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, reported the government’s ongoing government organization reform plan to the Democratic Party’s floor leader Park Hong-geun and other leadership members.

Oh Young-hwan, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson, said after the report, "When the Minister of Gender Equality and Family is downgraded to a bureau chief at the vice-ministerial level, there is serious concern and awareness of problems that the negotiation power and functions with other ministries may weaken during discussions on sexual crime-related policies because they would no longer be a Cabinet member."

Spokesperson Oh added, "It is not that we insist on the name 'Ministry of Gender Equality and Family,'" but mentioned, "Crimes against women, such as the Sindang Station stalking murder case, remain a significant social issue repeatedly occurring, and the UN also recommends the necessity of an independent ministry related to gender equality as an international situation." This appears to emphasize the necessity of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Regarding the elevation of the National Veterans Affairs Office to a bureau-level agency and the establishment of the Overseas Korean Affairs Office, the deputy minister expressed agreement. Spokesperson Oh stated, "The elevation of the National Veterans Affairs Office to a bureau-level agency was also discussed during the Moon Jae-in administration, so we empathize with the importance of veterans affairs." He continued, "The Overseas Korean Affairs Office was also a pledge of our party, and there are many demands both inside and outside the party," adding, "There have even been legislative proposals by our party members, so we agree on the need to strengthen overseas Korean policies."