Minister of Gender Equality and Family on Non-consensual Rape Controversy: "Not Due to Minister Han Dong-hoon's Influence"

Minister Kim Hyun-sook reporting on work at the full meeting of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook clarified that the recent controversy over the Ministry’s consideration and subsequent withdrawal within half a day of introducing a non-consensual intercourse crime was "not due to pressure from Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon."

On the afternoon of the 23rd, during the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee, Minister Kim responded this way when opposition lawmakers criticized whether the withdrawal of the plan to introduce the non-consensual intercourse crime was influenced by People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon.

Earlier, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family had included in the third Basic Plan for Gender Equality Policy announced on the 26th of last month a statement that it would "consider" introducing a 'non-consensual intercourse crime' punishable as rape if sexual intercourse occurs without consent, even without violence or threats.

However, after the Ministry of Justice denied any plan to amend the law regarding the non-consensual intercourse crime and strong backlash arose from the ruling party, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family corrected the announcement nine hours after the basic plan was released, stating, "Regarding the review of the non-consensual intercourse crime amendment, the government has no plan to amend the law."

Regarding this, Minister Kim said, "From the beginning, we did not say we would amend the law; we only expressed a review opinion, but during media coverage, it was reported as if the amendment would start immediately," adding, "Please understand that this is not a withdrawal of the position but a detailed explanation of its meaning."

On the day the controversy arose, when People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong criticized the introduction of punishment for the non-consensual intercourse crime on Facebook and opposition lawmakers condemned Minister Kim for having a phone call with Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, Minister Kim explained, "I did not hear Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong’s opinion at all, and after consulting the government’s position with Minister Han by phone, we mutually agreed and issued that opinion."

In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Lee So-young’s criticism that "the minister’s political judgment is at the center of the controversy" and that "policies fluctuate with a single word from a member of the National Assembly or a minister from another department," Minister Kim replied, "This is not because of pressure from Minister Han Dong-hoon or the difference in status between the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family."