[Edaily Reporter Lee Ji-hyun ] Although the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has changed its name to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the “tragic saga” surrounding its leadership continues. Following the resignation of former Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the former Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the successive withdrawals of nominees Kim Haeng and Kang Seon-woo, and now the withdrawal of Ministerial Nominee Yong Hye-in, this marks the fourth instance of turmoil in the appointment process.

The saga surrounding the leadership of the Ministry of Gender Equality (including the former Ministry of Gender Equality and Family) dates back to 2023

Former Minister Kim Hyun-sook, who served as the first Minister of Gender Equality and Family under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, tendered her resignation on September 12, 2023, as calls for accountability intensified following the chaotic handling of the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree.

The very next day, on September 13, President Yoon nominated Kim Haeng, a former member of the People Power Party’s Emergency Response Committee, as the candidate to succeed her as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. However, Candidate Kim came under intense attack from the opposition party over allegations of so-called “stock parking” and other issues. During the National Assembly confirmation hearing, a controversy known as the “Kim Haeng-rang incident” erupted after she left the hearing room alongside ruling party lawmakers following the walkout by opposition lawmakers. Ultimately, Kim voluntarily withdrew her candidacy on October 12 of the same year, about one month after her nomination.

An unusual situation arose when the nominee to succeed her was first forced to withdraw. As a result, former Minister Kim, who had already announced her resignation, continued to serve as minister even though her resignation had not been accepted. She finally stepped down on February 20, 2024—more than five months after announcing her resignation.

Subsequently, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration did not nominate a successor. As the administration was pushing to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as a national policy priority, Deputy Minister Shin Young-sook continued to serve as acting minister. The ministerial position remained vacant for a full year and seven months—from former Minister Kim’s resignation until Minister Won Min-kyung took office on September 10, 2025.

With the change in administration, the fate of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family also changed. The Lee Jae-myung administration reversed the policy to abolish the ministry and decided to strengthen its gender equality functions. However, the new administration hit a snag right from the start with its selection of the first Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

Kang Sun-woo, then a member of the National Assembly for the Democratic Party of Korea, was nominated as Minister in June following the new administration’s inauguration. However, as controversies surrounding her mistreatment of staff and false explanations spread, she faced calls for her resignation even from within her own party. Ultimately, she voluntarily withdrew her candidacy on July 23 of the same year—just 30 days after being nominated.

Following Candidate Kang’s withdrawal, President Lee nominated attorney Won Min-kyung as her successor on August 13 of the same year. After undergoing a National Assembly confirmation hearing, Candidate Won took office on September 10. This also brought an end to the 1 year and 7-month leadership vacuum at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Minister Won led the effort to expand and reorganize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Even during her nomination process, she emphasized, “I will expand and reorganize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into a powerful Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to strengthen its functions in overseeing, coordinating, and governing gender equality policies.”

However, controversies surrounding the leadership resurfaced. On the 30th of last month, Rep. Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, nominated as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, faced intense scrutiny immediately after her nomination regarding issues such as a proportional representative lawmaker’s concurrent role as a Cabinet member, her spouse’s party position, and the so-called “family party” controversy.

Candidate Yong held a press conference on the 10th, stating, “It is a principle permitted by law for a member of the National Assembly to concurrently serve as a Cabinet member,” and dismissed calls for her to resign from her parliamentary seat, expressing her intention to undergo vetting through a confirmation hearing. However, the situation changed rapidly as calls for her to make a decision on her future grew louder even within the Democratic Party. Ultimately, just three days after declaring her intention to push forward, she withdrew her candidacy.

Women’s rights groups point out that, in light of this situation, stabilizing the organization and policies of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should take priority over rushing to find a successor. In particular, some argue that the government should reexamine why Minister Won was included in the cabinet reshuffle without a clear reason for her replacement, especially given that she had been pushing for the ministry’s expansion, reorganization, and the restoration of policies.

Lee Seon-hee, president of the Korean Women’s Political Network, emphasized, “Rather than seeking another nominee for political expediency, we must focus on stabilizing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s systems.” She added, “Ultimately, work is done by people. We must encourage and empower the civil servants who have been driving organizational restructuring and policy restoration so that they can vigorously advance the initiatives that the women’s community has consistently demanded.”