Won Min-kyung, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said on the 18th, "The top priority is to create a powerful Ministry of Gender Equality and Family that expands the department's status and policies."
On the morning of the same day, the candidate arrived at the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA) in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, for preparations for the confirmation hearing, and met with reporters on her first day, noting that the most urgent policy task for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is to strengthen the overall coordination of gender equality policies and governance functions through the reorganization into a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
She was nominated as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family on the 13th. The candidate, a former chair of the Women's Human Rights Committee at the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, has been serving as a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission since July 2023. She is also a director at the Korean Women's Hotline.
Regarding her feelings about the nomination, the candidate said, "I believe that the countless lives of the vulnerable I met in court and on the streets have brought me to this position," adding, "During my 20 years as a lawyer, I've had the opportunity to listen to the voices of those who find it hard to speak for themselves in the most marginalized areas of society and to convey those voices."
She also stated, "If appointed as Minister, I will do my utmost for the national tasks of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, including ensuring the healthy growth of children and youths, supporting diverse families, realizing a gender-equal society where equal opportunities and rights are guaranteed, and ensuring the safety and health rights of women."
The candidate further noted, "While the level of gender equality in Korean society has improved over the years, the significant issues of the gender wage gap, the safety gap felt in gender-based violence, the gender disparity in caregiving and household labor, and the perception gap regarding gender equality among the younger generation are very serious."
Regarding discussions on amending the crime of rape, she said, "I understand there are discussions aimed at addressing the blind spots in the current criminal law that fail to punish perpetrators and looking at the criteria for judging sexual violence from the perspective of fundamental rights," and added, "I will create a platform for public discourse that allows for discussions with field experts, parties involved, the Ministry of Justice, and diverse opinions, including opposing views."
When asked about her stance on enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, the candidate replied, "I believe the need and significance of such laws are very large as they would enable all members of society to effectively respond to unreasonable discrimination and provide a remedy that protects the fundamental rights of the socially vulnerable," and added, "I aim to actively cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission, which has been working to correct and resolve discrimination."