The Democratic Party and Government Organization Act Revision Bill to Be Proposed Today... "Full Participation"

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The ruling party decided on the 7th to propose a government organization law amendment bill at the party level, which includes abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and upgrading the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to a ministry.

On the same day, the People Power Party held a video meeting of its members at the National Assembly with about 80 members attending and made this decision.

Floor leader Joo Ho-young explained the reason for promoting the bill by members' initiative, saying, "There has been a delay in pushing forward the government organization law, and we have received requests to promote it through members' initiative for faster progress. The Democratic Party of Korea also handled the government organization law amendment bill through members' initiative all three times before."

The main proposer will be Floor Leader Joo, and it is known that all 115 party members will sign it. Right after the meeting, Floor Leader Joo told reporters, "We will propose it today immediately" and "It will be under everyone's name."

However, the opposition party's concerns about the reduction of functions due to the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in the current 'female minority and opposition majority' situation remain an issue. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min said, "The functions are not reduced or diminished at all" and "You can think of the current organization in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family simply moving to the Ministry of Health and Welfare as is."

He explained, "Among all the functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, only those related to women's employment will be transferred to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the rest will be moved under the head of the Ministry of Health and Welfare," adding, "Regarding female crime victims, which were previously handled by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, it will be strengthened by having a head at a level higher than a vice minister in charge."

President Yoon Suk-yeol also said on his way to work that day, "The abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is to strengthen the protection of women, families, children, and socially vulnerable groups," but regarding the possibility of passage in the National Assembly, he said, "It is not easy to predict."