Dismissal of Kim Hyun-sook? Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family? ... Responsibility Debate Puts Ruling Party in a Dilemma

Some argue for 'Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family'
But mood shifts rapidly amid 'Government Responsibility' debate
"Blaming Jeonbuk Province and Previous Government... Minister Dismissal is Contradictory"

In the political sphere, the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the government department in charge, or the dismissal of Minister Kim Hyun-sook is being discussed in connection with the responsibility for the disruption of the 2023 World Scout Jamboree. The ruling party has been trying to shift the frame by raising the responsibility of the previous Moon Jae-in administration, but political concerns are expected to continue.

The leadership of the People Power Party criticized the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and said they would look into the issues, but the atmosphere is more focused on highlighting the responsibility of Jeonbuk Province, the local government in charge. They are withholding comments on the abolition of the ministry or the proposal to dismiss Minister Kim.

Both the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the dismissal of Minister Kim are burdensome issues for the ruling party. Abolishing the ministry requires an amendment to the Government Organization Act, so it is not a simple matter. For now, the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds the majority of seats in the National Assembly, is opposed to abolishing the ministry, making it realistically difficult for the bill to pass.

On the morning of the 10th, when warnings due to Typhoon Khanun were issued nationwide, Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, attended the Jamboree Emergency Response Team meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, listening to remarks by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. 2023.8.10 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Although abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was a campaign pledge of President Yoon Suk-yeol, it has lost momentum as he enters his second year in office. There is strong opposition from the opposition party and women's groups, and the ruling party's internal interest is not as high as before. As the abolition debate has become a contentious issue, the ministry's presence has weakened, reducing the justification for abolition. There is also the problem of how to redistribute the women and family projects managed by the ministry after its abolition.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the ministry, saying, "We plan to thoroughly examine the shortcomings as a support department," but did not mention the dismissal proposal. He also said about Jeonbuk Province, "We will thoroughly check what they have been doing all this time."

Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker who has advocated for the abolition of the ministry, also mentioned that Jeonbuk Province bears more responsibility than the ministry in this incident. In an interview with SBS Radio, Ha said, "Jeonbuk Province is the executive committee chair, and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family is an auxiliary agency," adding, "The primary responsibility lies with Jeonbuk Province, and the ministry has secondary responsibility."

Some analysts say that since the ruling party has defined the responsibility for the incident as lying with Jeonbuk Province and the previous government, the possibility of proposing or carrying out the dismissal of Minister Kim is low. This is because there is a concern that it could escalate into a 'responsibility of the entire government' issue.

Choi Jae-sung, former Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a CBS Radio interview, "From the president's position as the appointing authority, there is no reason for dismissal because there is no wrongdoing," and "(The ruling party) logically contradicts itself if it brings up the abolition of the ministry now, especially due to the Jamboree issue."

He added, "Dismissing the Minister of Gender Equality and Family would be an admission of this government's responsibility, so it will not happen," and "The abolition of the ministry is a very long-term issue, and there is no reason to accelerate it by dismissing the minister."