By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak asked female lawmakers to help promote gender equality and social integration, Tuesday.
He made the remark during a luncheon meeting with 19 female lawmakers from the governing Grand National Party (GNP) at Cheong Wa Dae.
The invitation is part of efforts to strengthen policy coordination between Cheong Wa Dae and the GNP. Lee proposed the meeting to reflect the voices of female politicians in setting up policies for families, the elderly and children, the presidential office said.
"Women are gaining power not only in social and economic sectors, but also in the political field,'' Lee said.
"No politician can succeed without listening to female voters, so we should strengthen communication with women of all ages and open the door wider for them to contribute to society."
It was the first time that Lee has met with solely female lawmakers since he took office in February last year.
The gathering came amid reports that some female figures, including Chang Myung-soo, former president of the Hankook Ilbo newspaper, and Shin In-ryung, former president of Ewha Womans University, are among potential candidates to be the next prime minister.
Cheong Wa Dae plans to conduct a Cabinet reshuffle this week, replacing Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and several other Cabinet ministers.
During the meeting with the female lawmakers, President Lee pledged stronger efforts to promote women's rights and address the issues of unfair salaries and treatment for women in the workplace.
The lawmakers proposed measures to boost low birthrates and improve childcare facilities, a presidential spokesman said.
Participants included Kim Young-sun, chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Political Affairs; GNP spokeswoman Cho Yoon-sun; former GNP spokeswoman Na Kyung-won; and Chin Soo-hee, president of the Yeoido Institute, the party's think tank.