Women’s Policy Bureau to Be Expanded as "Gender Equality Policy Office"
"Strengthening Role as Control Tower for Gender Equality Policy"
Abolition Threat Under Yoon Administration... Prolonged Ministerial Vacancy
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will overcome the threat of abolition and be expanded and reorganized as the "Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs." Once the vacancy in the ministerial position is filled, policy capabilities in areas such as gender equality, children and youth, and care are expected to be strengthened.
According to the government reorganization plan announced by the ruling party and government on September 8, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will be renamed the "Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs," and the existing Women’s Policy Bureau will be expanded and newly established as the "Gender Equality Policy Office." Key functions to promote gender equality policies will be reinforced, including promoting economic activity, balanced employment policies, strengthening women's safety, and resolving reverse discrimination. The purpose of the reorganization is to strengthen its role as the "control tower for gender equality policy."
If the amendment to the Government Organization Act passes the National Assembly plenary session, the era of the "Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs" will officially begin. The reorganization of the Women’s Policy Bureau into the Gender Equality Policy Office will be finalized through subsequent restructuring. Specific details such as staff expansion and organizational functions have not yet been determined, so discussions with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which oversees organizational restructuring, are expected to continue. An official from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said, "No specific details regarding the organizational restructuring have been communicated yet," adding, "It seems that decisions will be made through discussions within the government."
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration had previously pushed for the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in line with its presidential campaign pledge. An amendment to the Government Organization Act that included the abolition was proposed, but it failed to pass the National Assembly due to opposition from the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds a majority of seats. However, after former Minister Kim Hyunsook stepped down following the Saemangeum Jamboree incident, the ministerial position remained vacant for 1 year and 7 months, solidifying the perception of the ministry as a "powerless department."
Once Won Minkyeong, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is appointed, the vacancy in the ministerial position will be resolved. Won’s confirmation hearing concluded quietly without major conflict between the ruling and opposition parties. As she is known for her deep understanding of women’s policy, related organizations have welcomed her nomination. At her confirmation hearing on September 3, Won stated, "I will expand and reorganize the ministry into a powerful Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs, strengthening its role in coordinating gender equality policies and governance. I will do my utmost to ensure that gender equality policy becomes not a source of conflict but a clue to solutions, and to lead the ministry so that it becomes an agency that implements policies and systems for gender equality that everyone can truly feel."
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