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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

South Korea eyes femicide statistics, enhanced gender violence response

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Korea's Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Won Kang-hee, is discussing the inclusion of "femicide" in national gender violence statistics.
  • The ministry is also working on systematic responses to intimate partner violence and strengthening support for victims of gender-based violence.
  • Key policy initiatives include expanding the control tower function for gender equality policies and collaborating with other ministries on legislative matters.

South Korea's Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Won Kang-hee, announced plans to enhance the nation's response to gender-based violence, including the potential inclusion of "femicide" in official statistics.

Speaking at a press briefing on June 11, Won stated, "In the second half of this year, we will promote social consensus on gender equality and prepare more systematic response measures for intimate partner violence." The minister indicated that discussions are underway to incorporate "femicide" statistics into the national gender violence data, addressing concerns that the lack of official tracking hinders effective policy-making.

In the second half of this year, we will promote social consensus on gender equality and prepare more systematic response measures for intimate partner violence.

— Won Kang-heeMinister of Gender Equality and Family Won Kang-hee outlining the ministry's upcoming priorities.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, established in October last year, has been working on various initiatives, including public sanitary pad programs and addressing gender perception gaps among youth. It has also launched a support center for digital sex crime victims and implemented a child support advance payment system.

We are discussing the inclusion of 'femicide' statistics within the gender violence statistics.

— Won Kang-heeMinister of Gender Equality and Family Won Kang-hee on efforts to improve data collection on gender-based killings.

However, the ministry faces challenges, as many of its gender violence prevention policies require collaboration with other government bodies like the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency. Won emphasized her commitment to strengthening the ministry's role as a "control tower" for gender equality policies, aiming to expand dedicated gender equality departments across all government ministries.

Regarding recent femicide cases, Won stated that the ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice and police to develop measures for preemptive responses to stalking perpetrators and enhanced victim protection. A comprehensive government plan on stalking crimes, with the ministry handling victim support policies, is expected in July. Additionally, the ministry is discussing the creation of gender violence statistics, including femicide, with data agencies and law enforcement. Plans are also in motion to introduce an "employment equality wage disclosure system" to publicize gender wage gaps in private companies, with the aim of passing related legislation in the latter half of the year.

We are working with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the National Police Agency to prepare measures for preemptive responses to stalking perpetrators and enhanced victim protection.

— Won Kang-heeMinister of Gender Equality and Family Won Kang-hee detailing inter-agency cooperation on stalking.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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