Regarding Candidate Kyung Sun-woo for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family - A Commitment to Flow to a Lower Place

Lee Jae-myung government and candidate Kang Sun-woo

Kang Seon-woo, who has been nominated as the first Minister of Gender Equality and Family in the Lee Jae-myung government, is certainly a figure that attracts attention based on her background alone. However, what resonates even deeper is the language of her first statement. The expression "I will make the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family a place that warmly wraps around each and every citizen" was not merely a greeting but a message imbued with the direction and philosophy of administration. In an era when the language of politicians can often sound hollow, Kang's words were an exception. They were calm and restrained yet carried a clear warmth. It was sufficient to draw attention, as it recognized citizens not just as numbers or groups, but as lives of individuals.

Political Background and History

Candidate Kang Seon-woo was born in 1978 in Daegu. Academically, he graduated from Ewha Womans University with a degree in English Education and completed a master's program in Consumer Human Development at the same university. He then obtained a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a strong academic foundation in child, family, and social welfare, which equips him with the capacity for in-depth analysis in policy approaches. After entering politics, he served as the spokesperson for the Democratic Party, conveying the party's messages, and upon entering the 21st National Assembly, he took on the role of secretary in the Health and Welfare Committee and later served as a member of the Gender Equality and Family Committee. During this time, he focused on legislative activities for social minorities, including child care, women's protection, family policy, and welfare system improvements. He stood out not merely as a "female politician," but as a "politician who fills the gaps in social structures." His career is consistent, characterized by a rare coexistence of sensitivity toward the socially vulnerable and the execution power for specific institutional improvements. In particular, he has consistently advocated for victim-centered legislative amendments and the resolution of welfare blind spots throughout the legislative process, and this policy continuity has been reflected in his nomination as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

The philosophy and responsibilities of the ministerial candidate

The remarks of candidate Kang Seon-woo represent an ethical expression that transcends mere political messaging. Immediately after his nomination, he stated, 'I will let my body and mind flow to lower, more difficult, and more painful places.' This was not just a metaphorical expression it was a clear declaration of where the government prioritizes the individuals it needs to protect. He also mentioned, 'Politics is responsibility, and I will not turn a blind eye to the weight of that responsibility.' Such statements suggest that he perceives his role not merely as an administrative manager but as a means to realize social justice and public accountability. His expression, 'I want to create a path where extraordinary efforts are not needed for ordinary lives,' reveals a strong will to eliminate the injustices in social structures and the unnecessary suffering that arises from them. In a recent press conference, candidate Kang said, 'I will carefully consider both discrimination and reverse discrimination,' setting himself up as a mediator of conflicts. This is a very important stance for the position of Minister of Gender Equality and Family, which is intertwined with sharp social debates such as gender equality, family policies, and youth issues. It can be understood as a stance that seeks to pursue both practical equality and social integration without being biased towards any specific camp.

Attitudes toward events and the warmth of people

The sincerity shown by candidate Kang Seon-woo can be seen in his attitude towards the apartment fire incident in Busan that occurred at the end of June. He expressed deep condolences for the incident in which two sisters lost their lives and said, 'As someone who makes politics my profession, I am sorry.' This was not an expression of responsibility as an administrative official, but rather a reflection and introspection on the structural irresponsibility that politics as a whole carries. While many politicians mention post-disaster measures or institutional improvements regarding tragedies, candidate Kang chose to apologize first. He bowed his head and stated, 'We must reflect on what drove those children to such a fate and which systems and indifference created this tragedy.' This statement deviated from the typical approach of reducing the problem to institutional failings and simultaneously addressed human empathy and institutional responsibility. This attitude serves as a reminder that the role of a minister is not merely about 'running a department,' but rather how to respect the lives and dignity of each citizen. Especially given the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's focus on socially vulnerable groups such as children, teenagers, families, and women who desperately need protection, this ethical sensitivity and sense of responsibility become even more crucial.

Political Challenges and Candidate Kang's Vision

The policy challenges faced by candidate Kang Seon-woo are certainly not light. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been embroiled in discussions about its existence for several years, and there are ongoing discussions regarding its expansion and reorganization into the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. This is not just an issue of the department's name, but a direction-setting question of how gender equality and family policies will be positioned within the conflict structure of Korean society. Candidate Kang has stated that he will "work together with the philosophy of national governance," holding back on specific positions, but he is expected to present clearer directional guidance on this matter during the confirmation hearing. In particular, how Kang will outline a specific roadmap for key tasks of the ministry, such as care policies, strengthening youth rights, and addressing digital sexual crimes, will become a major issue in the future. He also stated that "prejudice and conflict are hindering the growth momentum of Korean society," making it clear that the administration's goal should not simply be conflict avoidance, but social integration. This can be interpreted as a declaration that the ministry should not be a source of conflict, but should evolve into a central axis of communication and coordination. The political significance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is not limited to women's policies, and there is a strong sense of the need for it to establish itself as an institution for implementing public policies that address structural inequalities throughout society.

Support for candidate Kang Seon-woo

The reason I have come to like candidate Kang Seon-woo is not simply because her words are warm. Behind those words lies a consistent career, concrete actions, and a reflective attitude to the point of being cautious. She has recognized that politics is a space created by language, yet she strives to hold that language accountable. Politicians who embody both the warmth of language and the sophistication of policy are rare, and Kang Seon-woo is among that rare group. Before being an administrator, she is someone who respects citizens. Instead of exercising power as a politician, she has repeatedly vowed to lower her knees and listen. This is not merely rhetorical humility, but the attitude of someone who understands the essence of power. Policies that change the lives of citizens must be resolute, yet the places they should reach are always lower. Politics can sometimes be a realm of cold calculation. However, if it is for the people, it must not lose its warmth. Candidate Kang Seon-woo understands both of these aspects, and we need such a politician right now. This is why I support Kang Seon-woo. Her attitude, language, and sense of responsibility remind us of the direction our politics needs to recover.