President Lee Jae-myung Orders Gender Ministry to Address Young Men's Discrimination Issues

President Lee's Historic Directive on Male Discrimination

In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through Korean society, President Lee Jae-myung has instructed the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to research and develop countermeasures for discrimination faced by young men, particularly those in their 20s. This directive, delivered during a cabinet meeting on June 10, 2025, represents the first time a Korean president has officially acknowledged potential discrimination against young males within the existing gender policy framework.

The president's remarks came during the 25th Cabinet Meeting, where he addressed Deputy Minister Shin Young-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Men feel discriminated against in certain areas, but there is no official discussion about this anywhere, Lee stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive examination of male discrimination issues. This unprecedented acknowledgment has sparked intense debate across Korean society, with many viewing it as a direct response to the growing political influence of young male voters, often referred to as 'Lee Dae-nam' (men in their 20s).

The Context Behind Gender Conflicts in Korean Society

The president's directive comes against the backdrop of intensifying gender conflicts among Korea's younger generation, a phenomenon that has been escalating over the past several years. Economic instability, fierce competition for employment, and housing difficulties have created a pressure cooker environment where young people of both genders feel increasingly marginalized. Young men, in particular, have expressed frustration with policies they perceive as giving preferential treatment to women, such as gender quotas in hiring and university admissions.

President Lee acknowledged this complex dynamic, stating that while women are clearly a discriminated group structurally speaking, the reality shows that in entrance exams and civil service tests, women are leading across the board for those in their teens to early 30s. This observation highlights the nuanced nature of gender equality in contemporary Korea, where traditional disadvantages faced by women coexist with new challenges experienced by young men entering an increasingly competitive job market.

Military Service and Competitive Disadvantages

Central to the president's concerns was the issue of mandatory military service and its impact on young men's competitiveness in the job market. Deputy Minister Shin Young-sook responded to the president's inquiry by acknowledging that there is no dedicated department for addressing male discrimination issues, but noted that the ministry has conducted analysis on gender conflict as a serious problem. She specifically highlighted that young men experience a period of loss when they must serve in the military, during which they become particularly sensitive to unresolved grievances about their disadvantages.

This acknowledgment of military service as a factor in gender-based discrimination represents a significant shift in official discourse. Traditionally, military service has been viewed as a civic duty and a rite of passage for Korean men, but the president's directive suggests a recognition that this obligation may create systematic disadvantages in an increasingly competitive society. The mandatory military service period, typically lasting 18-21 months, often coincides with crucial career-building years for young adults, potentially putting male job seekers at a disadvantage compared to their female counterparts.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Concerns

In a related directive that underscores the seriousness of the issue, President Lee also instructed Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong to report on the impact of reverse discrimination and alienation experienced by young men on suicide rates. This instruction reflects growing concerns about the mental health implications of gender-based discrimination and social alienation among young Korean men. Statistics have shown that male suicide rates in Korea remain consistently higher than female rates, particularly among younger demographics.

The president's focus on the psychological impact of discrimination suggests a comprehensive approach to addressing gender issues that goes beyond policy adjustments to include mental health support systems. This directive indicates that the government is beginning to recognize the connection between social inequality, psychological well-being, and public health outcomes. The emphasis on suicide prevention also reflects the broader social crisis facing Korean society, where high levels of competition and social pressure have contributed to some of the world's highest suicide rates.

Vietnam Mixed-Race Visa Policy Initiative

In addition to addressing domestic gender issues, President Lee also instructed the Ministry of Justice to examine special visa provisions for mixed-race individuals of Korean descent living in Vietnam. The president specifically asked then-Deputy Justice Minister Kim Seok-woo to review visa privileges for Vietnamese-Korean mixed-race second-generation individuals who wish to come to Korea, noting that there has been social discussion about allowing such arrangements.

This directive stems from historical context involving Korean soldiers who served in Vietnam and subsequently had children with Vietnamese women. The president drew parallels to the situation of mixed-race children born to American soldiers stationed in Korea, many of whom were adopted to the United States. The consideration of special visa provisions for Vietnamese-Korean mixed-race individuals represents an attempt to address historical responsibilities and family reunification issues that have remained unresolved for decades.

Political Implications and Public Response

The president's directive on male discrimination has generated significant political discourse, with many interpreting it as a strategic move to appeal to young male voters who have increasingly shifted toward conservative political positions in recent elections. The phenomenon of 'Lee Dae-nam' becoming a crucial voting bloc has been evident since the 2022 presidential election, where issues such as the proposed abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family became major campaign themes.

President Lee's acknowledgment that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has become a target of political conflict due to its name including 'women' reflects the polarized nature of gender discourse in Korean politics. His instruction to expand the ministry into a 'Gender Equality and Family Ministry' suggests an attempt to rebrand and broaden the institution's mandate to address concerns from all gender groups. This strategic repositioning indicates the government's recognition of the need to balance traditional gender equality advocacy with emerging concerns about reverse discrimination.

Community Reactions and Social Media Response

Online communities and social media platforms have shown mixed reactions to the president's directive, with responses largely divided along gender and generational lines. Male-dominated online communities have generally welcomed the president's acknowledgment of their concerns, viewing it as long-overdue recognition of issues they have been raising for years. Many users have expressed hope that this directive will lead to concrete policy changes that address what they perceive as systematic disadvantages in employment, education, and social services.

Conversely, feminist groups and women's rights advocates have expressed concerns that the focus on male discrimination might undermine decades of progress in women's rights and gender equality. Some critics argue that the directive represents a political calculation rather than a genuine commitment to addressing gender issues comprehensively. The debate has intensified discussions about the nature of equality and whether addressing male concerns necessarily comes at the expense of women's rights, highlighting the complex dynamics of gender politics in contemporary Korea.