Kim Hyun-sook: "The Framework for Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is Set... It Does Not Mean the Work Will Disappear"

"Departments with Extensive Collaboration, More Efficient to Transform into Governance"
"Even if Abolished, Public Welfare Tasks Continue... Following President Yoon's Government Philosophy"

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] On the 5th, Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, responded "Yes" to the question, "Is it correct that the major framework of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been established?"

Minister Kim appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the morning of the 5th and said, "The discussions are not yet completely finished. We are making fine adjustments with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety." It is known that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported to the opposition Democratic Party on the same day a plan to establish a vice-minister-level bureau within the Ministry of Health and Welfare to transfer the existing functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Regarding the reorganization direction, Minister Kim explained, "It is not that all the work done by the independent ministry will be dispersed to other ministries, but we plan to create governance that can efficiently perform the current functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family." When asked by the host, "Does this mean the core functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will be transferred as a whole?" she replied, "You can generally understand it that way."

On the justification for abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, she cited practicality and efficiency. Minister Kim said, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is a ministry that requires a lot of collaboration," and added, "From a practical perspective, there are few things that can be done in the current form, and it is difficult to work efficiently, so I have thought a lot that it would be better to change the big framework."

She continued, "Regarding what kind of organization and functions to have to close the gap between men and women in various sectors, I think the form can sufficiently change according to the changes of the times and social demands," emphasizing this point. However, when asked if this means structural gender discrimination exists, she avoided a direct answer by saying, "It is necessary to improve the gender wage gap and the low proportion of women."

Minister Kim dismissed criticism about the increase in next year's budget for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which is scheduled to be abolished, saying, "Even if the ministry is abolished, the work does not disappear." She mentioned key tasks such as childcare services and said, "Even if it is not in the form of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, someone will continue this work, and it aligns with President Yoon Suk-yeol government's people-centered national policy philosophy," stating that abolishing the ministry and increasing the budget are not contradictory.

Regarding her remarks that it is difficult to view the Sindang Station stalking murder case as a misogynistic crime, she clarified, "This is a planned murder case caused by severe stalking," and acknowledged, "I am well aware that many victims of stalking and sexual violence are women." Minister Kim added, "I think it is important for the government to actively respond to prevent such incidents from happening."

In response to criticism that she opposed the amendment of the Healthy Families Basic Act, which expands the definition of family, Minister Kim rebutted, "My position is that it is more important to expand practical support to prevent blind spots." She said, "Rather than engaging in legal debates, it is much more important to support de facto families in the work being done."