On October 20th at 2:30 PM, a meeting of women’s organization leaders, organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, took place at the Government Seoul Complex. The meeting was attended by representatives from the National YWCA of Korea and five women’s organizations (Korea Women’s Association United, Womenlink, Korean Women’s Hotline, BPW Korea, and Korean Women’s Federation for Consumer), with Kim Eun-kyung, Head of the Gender Equality Policy Division at the National YWCA of Korea, representing the organization. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was represented by the minister, vice minister, director of planning and coordination, director of women’s policy division, and the head of the strategic planning team.

Before the meeting, the National YWCA of Korea, and the coalition opposing the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family held a demonstration from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM in front of Government Seoul Complex. Demonstrators carried pickets with slogans such as “Oppose the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family” and “Strengthen the Gender Equality Policy System.”

During the meeting, Kim Eun-kyung, Head of the Gender Equality Policy Division at the National YWCA of Korea, expressed the view that effectiveness, rather than practicality and utility, is crucial for resolving gender equality issues. She emphasized that the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol should operate a ministry for everyone rather than catering only to specific youths in their 20s. Regarding the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, she called for attention to international societal evaluations, criticized the inadequate state of gender equality in South Korea based on international standards, and pointed out that the abolition of the ministry is not at an acceptable considering the level of gender equality. Representatives of all participating women’s organizations expressed their opposition to the abolition of the ministry. Additionally, Kim Eun-kyung presented the demands related to the stalking and murder of a female worker at the Shin Dang Station announced during the coalition’s forum on October 19th to the Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

After the meeting, the National YWCA of Korea and three women’s organizations (Korea Women’s Association United, Womenlink, Korean Women’s Hotline) held a joint emergency press conference in front of the Government Seoul Complex. Speeches were delivered in the following order: Kim Eun-kyung (National YWCA of Korea), Song Ran-hee (Korean Women’s Hotline), Kang Hye-ran (Womenlink), and Kim Min-moon (Korea Women’s Association United). Subsequently, representatives from the Flame Feminist Action and the Progressive Party spoke, followed by a Q&A session with the media.

Kim Eun-kyung, representing the National YWCA of Korea at the meeting, responded that the organization maintains a clear stance against the transfer of the ministry to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. She explained that the meeting did not deviate from the information conveyed through previous media coverage. However, she mentioned that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is in a situation where it cannot fulfill its role due to the organizational restructuring decision made by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

Hye-won (Flame Feminist Action), who took charge of the first remarks, criticized the Yoon administration and the Minister of Gender Equality, saying, “The abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality will lead to gender conflict, and rather, the subtle patriarchal social prejudice and hierarchy between genders will be strengthened.” Lee Gi-won (Progressive Party, Women’s Mom Square Executive Director) pointed out the unconstitutional nature of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, emphasizing the need to amend the constitution if there is a desire to abolish the ministry.

During the Q&A session, questions were raised about the Women’s Sector Listening Meeting held on the 10th of the month. Kang Hye-ran, the representative of Womenlink, mentioned that the meeting was composed of organizations supporting the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and when questioned, the minister denied this claim. Kim Eun-kyung, the head of the Gender Equality Policy Division, stated that the meeting was not intended to gather opinions from the women’s sector but rather was a one-sided informational session repeating explanations about the decided content. She also explained that the organizational restructuring plan was determined by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, making it difficult for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to play a significant role.

Finally, when asked about additional rallies and action plans, Kim Min-moon (representative of Korea Women’s Association United) mentioned plans to organize a nationwide joint local community action to prevent the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

The National YWCA of Korea held discussions and press conferences related to the SNS campaign to hold back the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in solidarity with the Joint Action to stop the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. They have also participated in nationwide rallies condemning the proposed abolition and are currently conducting banner campaigns in 52 regions. YWCA Korea is actively committed to continuing their efforts to prevent the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and strengthen the promotion of gender equality.