gender Equality Minister Criticizes ‘Comfort Women‘ Deal, faces Scrutiny Over Agency Director’s Conduct
SEOUL, November 4, 2025 – South Korea’s Minister of gender Equality asserted today that resolving structural gender discrimination is essential, while together deeming the 2015 “comfort women” agreement with Japan “inappropriate” considering damages suffered by the surviving victims. The statement came during a National assembly audit of the Gender Equality and Family Committee.
The Minister’s remarks followed criticism from advocates who believe the Japanese government’s measures taken to address the issue are insufficient. “All measures taken by the Japanese government have been implemented,” they stated, “I don’t think this is an appropriate response to the damages suffered by the grandmothers,” and added, “We will later summarize and state our position based on the principle of restoring the honor and dignity of the victims.”
The audit also included scrutiny of jeon Ji-hyeon,director of the Child Support Compliance Management Center. Allegations surfaced regarding potential breaches of “political neutrality” following her appointment after the suspension of former President Yoon Seok-yeol.
Representative Kim Nam-hee presented claims, based on a letter received by a lawmaker’s office, that the former director had inquired about employees’ attendance at an impeachment rally and expressed support for a specific presidential candidate to protect President Yoon and First Lady Kim Kun-hee.
Director Jeon vehemently denied these allegations, as well as accusations of personal information leakage and workplace harassment. Democratic Party lawmaker Chae Hyun-il also questioned Jeon about asking employees about attending anti-impeachment rallies, to which Jeon again responded in the negative.
Concerns were also raised regarding the timing of Jeon’s appointment, which occured while both the President and Minister of Gender Equality positions were vacant. Minister Won pledged to investigate the claims presented.
