B. Main Topics
1) Controversy Over the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
A) Attempt to Abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Through the
Revision of the Government Organization Act
On Oct. 6, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced a plan to reorganize the
government organization with the main content being the abolition of the Ministry of Gender
Equality and Family, and on Oct. 7, the ‘Partial Amendment to the Government Organization
Act’ with the same substance was proposed at the National Assembly.263) According to the
amendment, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will be abolished, and tasks related
to youth and family, gender equality, and rights promotion will be transferred to the Ministry
of Health and Welfare, by establishing the ‘Headquarters for Population and Family Gender
Equality,’ and women’s employment will be transferred to the Ministry of Employment and
Labor.
The reasons for the amendment were the need to redesign the government organization to
strengthen the social security function for the socially underprivileged and create an equality
society by connecting the policies for specific life cycle that are scattered in different
ministries. The abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the transfer of
policies are receiving much attention after the 2022 presidential election, and the
government plans to implement comprehensive social policies through abolishing the
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. The incumbent Minister of Gender Equality and
Family announced at the first press conference after taking office on Jun. 16 that the Ministry
of Gender Equality and Family will be abolished and has established a task force team for
reorganization.264)
However, there are opposing opinions, as well. Even before the presidential election,
women's groups have consistently expressed their opposition to the abolition of the Ministry
of Gender Equality and Family,265) and in the National Assembly, opposition parties such as
263) Co-sponsored by 115 representatives, including Rep. Jun, Ho-young, Bill No. 2117759, Oct. 7, 2022.
264) Joongang Ilbo, Minister of Gender Equality and Family announces abolition of the Ministry ... but at a beginning
stage, without a set timeline, Jun. 15, 2022.
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