President Lee Jae-myung said Saturday that the government is "restoring gender equality policies and moving step by step toward a truly gender-equal society."
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) marking International Women's Day, Lee said "the previous administration's pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family led to a period of shrinking and regressing gender equality policies."
"Each year on this day, I reflect on the arduous journey of those who have worked to advance women's rights and reconsider the challenges remaining for gender equality in our society," Lee wrote.
"This year's International Women's Day, the first since the impeachment, holds special significance," he added, noting that women who showed solidarity in public squares to overcome the 2024 insurrection crisis received the 'Women's Movement Award of the Year' from the Korea Women's Associations United.
Lee highlighted Korea's history of commemorating the day. "According to the National Human Rights Commission, women activists including Na Hye-seok and Park In-duk began observing International Women's Day in Korea as early as the 1920s," he wrote. "The tradition was severed under Japanese colonial oppression but resumed officially with the first Korean Women's Convention in 1985."
"I will build a society where differences do not become discrimination and where being different is not a reason for exclusion—a community where everyone can live safely and with dignity," Lee pledged. "I will fulfill my role and responsibility to transform Korea into a truly gender-equal nation."
Citing this year's International Women's Day theme, "Accelerate Action," Lee expressed hope that "the fruits of gender equality we cultivate together will permeate the lives of all Korean people—women and men, across generations and social strata."
