Won Min-kyung, the Minister candidate for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said on 3rd, 'I will diligently push ahead with the task of expanding and strengthening the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into the 'Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.'
On the same day, Won attended a personnel hearing held by the Education Committee in the National Assembly and noted in her opening remarks, 'I will devote all my capabilities to ensure that gender equality policies become a key to solutions rather than a source of conflict.'
She stated, 'Having worked as a legal professional for about 25 years, I have made efforts to listen to and advocate for the voices of the socially vulnerable,' and added, 'I have personally felt that it is crucial to listen to voices on the ground and capture policies and systems that can drive substantial change to ensure that constitutional rights are exercised equally and to enable a better life.'
She further remarked, 'Since its establishment in 2001, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has continuously expanded the institutional framework for advancing towards a gender-equal society for more than 20 years, including the abolition of the hoju system in 2005 and the comprehensive amendment of the Framework Act on Gender Equality in 2014.'
However, she said, 'There are still many social issues that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family needs to address and resolve.'
In addition, she noted, 'The gender perception gap regarding gender equality in our society is still significant, and there are many issues that need to be improved for gender equality in the labor market, such as gender wage gaps and career interruptions.' She also added, 'The difficulties families face, including caregiving, parenting, and economic issues, are becoming increasingly diverse, and youth are facing crises that are difficult to endure alone, including isolation, suicidal behavior, and self-harm.'
She pointed out, 'Although the need for policies and support that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family must undertake is increasing, it is also very unfortunate that the status and functions of the ministry have been weakened amid the organizational abolition controversy of the previous government.' She concluded by saying, 'If I become the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, I will closely examine and push forward the tasks that the ministry can and must undertake, based on the diverse experiences and expertise I have accumulated in the field.'