"Time for Restoration," Declares Minister Won Min-kyung... “Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to Become a Forum for Public Discourse, Not Conflict”

[Financial News] "We must move beyond a period of vacancy and enter a time of restoration. It is not just about normalizing the organization, but also about restoring trust in gender equality policies and transforming the ministry into one that meets the public’s expectations."
Minister Won Min-kyung of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family expressed this vision during her first press conference held in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. After an 18-month vacancy in the ministerial post, she declared her intention to revive the weakened momentum and restore trust and functionality in gender equality policies.
Minister Won stated, "With the establishment of the Gender Equality Policy Office, we have strengthened our role as a control tower overseeing gender equality policies across all government affairs." She added, "We will work to close the gender wage gap and prevent career interruptions."
Regarding the Gender Wage Disclosure System, she announced plans to develop it into a substantive employment equality disclosure system rather than a mere formality. The aim is to function as a system that achieves comprehensive employment equality and encourages voluntary participation from society. She explained, "By transferring responsibilities from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, we will try a new approach to realize the value of a fully gender-equal society. To this end, we have begun meetings with experts and will also work with organizations representing women workers in the field."
On the topic of reverse discrimination, Minister Won emphasized, "Rather than language that fuels conflict, we need forums for public discourse that narrow perception gaps." She continued, "Starting on the 29th of this month, we will hold pilot concert-style forums to jointly examine the disadvantages young people experience in areas such as military service, recruitment, and wages."
Regarding the recent controversy over the establishment of the Gender Equality Planning Division, she commented, "Because this is a difficult issue, it must be addressed with even greater responsibility. I believe we can no longer postpone this task. I will not avoid difficult problems." She further explained, "Concerns that focusing on the discourse of reverse discrimination might divert our efforts from addressing structural gender inequality are unfounded, as can be seen from the ministry’s overall duties and structure."
On the issue of victims of Japanese military 'comfort women,' she stated, "We will pursue both legislative and commemorative projects to protect their dignity and honor, while also strengthening solidarity with the international community."
Meanwhile, regarding the recent Cambodia Human Trafficking Case, Minister Won said, "There has been a tendency for overseas human trafficking responses to be handled quietly. Although there is a Policy Coordination Council for the Prevention of Prostitution, cooperation among ministries has not been smooth. Taking this incident as an opportunity, we have established a roadmap to rebuild the cooperation system." She added, "We will actively engage in efforts to prevent human trafficking and support victims both domestically and internationally."

aber@fnnews.com Park Ji-young Reporter