Gender Ministry pledges violence crackdown, broadened family policy
Korea’s Gender Ministry promised stronger action on stalking and dating violence, broader support for diverse families and no recognition of same-sex marriage without new legislation.
Gender Equality and Family Minister Won Min-kyoung speaks at the Government Complex in central Seoul on June 11.NEWS1
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family pledged to step up its response to gender-based violence and broaden family policy in the government's second year but drew the line at same-sex marriage, saying it cannot be recognized without prior legislation.
Gender Equality and Family Minister Won Min-kyong laid out the plans Thursday at a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul marking the first anniversary of President Lee Jae Myung's government. During the conference, Won responded to criticism that the government has been passive toward violent crimes against women and stalking.
"We are deeply aware of the seriousness of violent crimes against women, including dating violence, stalking and digital sex crimes," she said. "In the government's second year, we will work hard to act effectively as the command center for gender-based violence."
The ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the National Police Agency on ways to head off stalking suspects and better protect victims, with specific measures to come. It also plans to support National Assembly debate on a bill addressing dating violence.
Won vowed early detection and rapid response.
"We will distribute red-flag notices on the high-risk warning signs of stalking and dating violence so that victims and the people around them can recognize danger early and receive proper protection and support," she said. "It is important to build a system in which police step in early when a victim signals danger and courts can swiftly issue provisional measures."
The ministry is also building gender-based violence statistics with the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency. Femicide statistics, which have drawn growing public attention, are part of the discussion, and the ministry said the work should lead to real prevention rather than data alone.
Minister Won also discussed the fifth Basic Plan for Healthy Families, which was announced on Tuesday. Under the plan, the ministry said it would amend the Framework Plan on Healthy Families to protect the rights of diverse families, including unmarried couples living together, and provide them with related services. It plans to support public discussion of cohabiting and alternative families and to offer its views in National Assembly debate on related rules.
People march at the Gwangju Queer Culture Festival in Gwangju on Nov. 29, 2025YONHAP
The ministry remained reserved on the rights of same-sex couples.
"The National Human Rights Commission Act bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, but a Supreme Court precedent holds that same-sex marriage cannot be recognized without separate legislation under the current Constitution and Civil Act," said Choi Seong-ji, head of the ministry's youth and family policy office. "Within the current legal framework, this is an area that requires social consensus."
Looking back on the past year, Won said gender equality had become a state-level matter.
"Gender equality is no longer the work of a single ministry but has established itself as a basic strategy for running the country," she said. "The ministry's role is to create change that leaves no one behind and that everyone can feel."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
