Korea's definitely upping gender equality efforts

It’s Gender Equality Week in Korea, and this year, it arrives alongside some news that quietly but clearly suggests a shift. The government has announced a significant increase in the 2026 budget for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family—an 11.8% bump, bringing it to nearly 2 trillion won.

There’s always a gap between what’s announced and what’s felt. But looking through the details, it’s hard not to think that something more intentional is happening.

The expanded budget covers many areas—childcare, youth mental health, gender-based violence prevention, and support for victims. One of the most notable moves is the expansion of the government-supported child care service. The income threshold for eligibility has been raised to 250% of the median income, which will allow an estimated 126,000 households to receive support next year. There’s also a boost in the number of government-covered childcare hours for single parents and grandparent-led households. These changes aren’t just about convenience. But this points out to sharing many single parent (mostly women) and mostly "working mothers"'s burden of childrearing. We can talk about its limitations, but perhaps another time. Right now, it is encouraging for many people.

Digital sexual violence is another area that saw a meaningful increase in support. The budget allocates over 6 billion won for related programs, with plans to add 23 staff to the national victim support center. There’s also a push to enhance international cooperation for faster removal of illegal content and improved systems overall. For those whose lives have been thrown into chaos by these crimes, it’s a step toward something a little less lonely.

For youth, particularly those who are isolated or at risk of self-harm, the government is planning to expand access to psychological support, increasing the number of trained counselors and investing in outreach programs. Even the cafeteria budgets at youth centers are going up—from 5,000 to 6,000 won per meal. It’s a small detail, but it reminds us that support doesn’t always come in the form of big policies—it can be found in hot food, safe spaces, and people who notice.

Another project that quietly stands out is the construction of the National Women’s History Museum. Set to open in 2028, the museum is now receiving dedicated funding for construction and artifact acquisition. It’s not just about collecting old stories—it’s about making sure the full story of this country is told, and told well.

President Lee Jae Myung’s remarks on the first day of Gender Equality Week add a layer of context. He acknowledged that although efforts have been made, structural discrimination still persists. “We need to boldly reform unfair systems and correct harmful perceptions,” he said. It’s a statement that’s been made before in various forms, by different leaders. But paired with this budget, it carries a bit more weight. There’s a sense that the message is not just about attitudes—but about infrastructure.

This budget won’t fix everything. But maybe it points to something more grounded than hope—intention. Not just to protect or rescue, but to shift how care, safety, and belonging are distributed in daily life.

And that, at least, is worth paying attention to.

This content has been modified and proofread by an artificial intelligence programme.

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