Korean politics still behind on female representation

By Kim Bo-eun

Despite the Moon Jae-in administration’s efforts to increase female ministers in his Cabinet, the percentage still falls short of the OECD average.

Moon has improved representation by appointing four female ministers among 16 so far _ Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung, Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee and Gender Equality Minister Chung Hyun-back.

The four account for 23.5 percent of the Cabinet. This falls short of the OECD average of 29.3 percent for 2015 _ the most recent available figure.

In 2015, women accounted for 5.9 percent of ministers in Korea, which was the lowest figure among OECD states after Turkey’s 4 percent.

Finland topped the list, with female ministers making up 62.5 percent, followed by Sweden with 52.2 percent.

Moon initially pledged to fill 30 percent of his Cabinet with women, and aim for an equal number of male and female ministers during his term.

The President also said he would help increase the percentage of female lawmakers to 30 percent, as well as heighten the portion of women in managerial positions at central and regional government bodies and public corporations.

In 2015, women accounted for 16.3 percent of lawmakers in Korea, ranking among the bottom few countries in the OECD. The OECD average of female representation at the legislative level was 27.9 percent.

In Sweden, female lawmakers accounted for 43.6 percent and Finland 42 percent.

Looking back at previous administrations, the Roh Moo-hyun administration kicked off with four female ministers and appointed the nation’s first female prime minister, Han Myeong-sook.

However, the following Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations both started with only two female ministers.