Joo Ho-young "Government Authorities Must Heed Concerns Over Abolishing Ministry of Gender Equality and Family... Requesting Opposition Party's Cooperation"

"Work is the government's job"
Request to the Democratic Party to entrust government decisions

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, requested cooperation from the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the government's organizational restructuring plan on the 6th.

At the emergency countermeasure meeting held that day, Floor Leader Joo said, "The main points are the subordinate status of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the promotion of its minister to a State Council member, the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office, and the adjustment of functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," adding, "It seems that the Democratic Party also agrees on the nature of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office."

He continued, "However, there are many concerns regarding the abolition and functional adjustment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained to the Democratic Party the day before that it is preparing a government organization law amendment plan centered on abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and placing its related functions under a headquarters within the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Since the amendment to the government organization law must pass through the National Assembly, cooperation from the opposition party is essential.

Floor Leader Joo pointed out, "So far, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been criticized for provoking gender conflicts and being very passive in protecting victims from power-related sexual crimes like the case of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon," and added, "There have also been continuous controversies over political bias among women's organizations receiving subsidies from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family."

Nevertheless, he said, "Concerns that gender equality issues might be neglected due to the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should be carefully considered by the government authorities during the organizational restructuring process."

He stated, "Even if not fully agreed upon, it was a pledge in our presidential election," and requested, "Since the government is the one doing the work, it would be good to leave the decision on what kind of organization the government will have to the government."

The People Power Party plans to hold a video conference meeting on the 7th to discuss the amendment to the government organization law and other related matters.