South Korea

Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Republic of South-Korea/ Daehanminkuk
(Female suffrage 1948) The Former Kingdom of Korea became a Japanese Colony in 1910. In 1945 it was occupied by the American and became independent in 1948 

Also see Korea Heads and South Korea Parliament

1948 Minister of Trade and Industry Yim Yong-shin (Louise Yim)
Elected the first female MP in 1948, founding Chairperson of Women's Party in 1952 and vice-Presidential candidate in 1954. She lived (1899-1977).

1950 Minister of Information Kim Whal-ran

1952-54 Minister without Portfolio Park Hyun-sook
One of the first 4 women of the 45 member South Korean Legislative Assembly and two times member of the National Assembly

1979 Minister of Education Kim Ok-Gil

1982-85 Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kim Chung-rye

1988 Minister of the Second Ministry of Political Affairs Cho Kyung-hee
1989-90 Secretary of State for Political Affairs

1988-90 Minister of the Second Ministry of Political Affairs Kim Young-jung

1990-91 Minister of the Second Ministry of Political Affairs Lee Gue-soon

1991-93 Minister of the Second Ministry of Political Affairs Kim Kap-hyun

1993  Minister of Social Affairs and Health Park Yang-sil

1993 Minister of Environment Hwang San-suy

1993 Second Minister of State for Political Affairs Kwong Young-ja

1993 Minister of Social Affairs and Health Song Jeong-sook

1993-95 Minister of Education Kim Sook-hee

1995-97 Second Minister of State for Political Affairs Kim Jong-sook
From 1997 Chairperson of the Committee of the Women’s Affairs and Member of the Presidium of the National Assembly

1997-98 Second Minister of State for Political Affairs Kim Yun-duk

1998-99 Minister of Culture and Tourism Shin Nak-yun

1998 Minister of Health and Welfare Joo Yang-ja

1998-99 Minister of Health and Welfare Kim Mo-im

1998-99 Chairperson of the Special Presidential Commission on Women’s Affairs Yun Ho-chung

1999 Minister of Environment Park Sun-sook
1999-2002 Presidential Secretary for Public Relations Affairs
2002-02 Senior Presidential Secretary for Publicity Affairs and Spokesperson
She was Vice-Spokesperson of the President, The Blue House, 1998-99. (b. 1960-)

1999-2000 Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Chi-won (or Jie-won)
2001-02 Senior Presidential Secretary for Policy and Planning

1999-2000 Minister of Heath and Welfare Cha Hung-pong

1999-2003 Minister of Environment Kim Myong-ja
Her name is also transcribed as Myung-cha, and she had
previously been considered for the post of minister of construction and transportation, to initiate environment-friendly development projects. (b. 1944-).

2001-03 Minister of Gender Equality and Family Han Myung-sook
2003-04 Minister of Environment
2006-07 Prime Minister
During the years of the military dictatorship, she started her career as a social activist in the South Korea Christian Academy and was a political prisoner 1979-81. Master in Christian Theology and Women's Studies and B.A. in French. MP from 2000. Minister of Gender Equality 2001-03 and Minister of Environment 2003-04 She resigned to run as candidate in the Uri-party internal primaries but soon after the party merged with other parties into the United New Democratic Party, which chose a male presidential candidate. MP and Chairperson of the Supreme Council of the Democratic United Party from 2012. (b. 1944-).

2001-13 Vice-Minister of Employment and Labour Kim Son-ja well
She was the country's first female vice-minister. 


2002 Acting Prime Minister Chang Sang (11.-31.07)
She was appointed Acting Prime Minister upon her designation which was vetoed by the Parliament at 30.07. She has been President of Ewha Women's University since 1996, and a consultant on Korean reunification. (b. 1939-).

2003-04 Minister of Justice Kang Kum-sil
Former Human rights activist and judge. Candidate for the post of Mayor of Seul in the May elections. (b. 1957-).

2003-05 Minister of Gender Equality and Family Ji Eun-hee
An active participant in the drive to ensure compensation for the women forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese military during World War II. (b. 1947-).

2003-04 Minister of Health and Welfare Kim Hwa-joong
President of the Korean Nurses Association, until she obtained a seat at the National Assembly in 2000 Millennium Democratic Party. (b. 1945-).

2003-07 Vice-Minister of Gender Equality and Family Ahn Jae-hyun

2005-08 Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jang Ha-jin
University Lecturer (b. 1952-).

2005-08 Minister of Legislation Kim Sun-wook
University Lecturer and Government Advisor on Legal Affairs (b. 1952-).

2007-08 Head of the Presidential Transition Team Lee Kyung-sook
President of Sookmyung Women's University, she was in charge of the preperation of the take-over of the new president in February 2008. She was mentioned by the press as a likely Prime Minister or Education Minister.

2008-09 Minister of Environment Park Eun-kyung
Head of the YMCA, Young Women's Christian Association of Korea. (b. 1946-)

2008-09 Minister without Portfolio Nam Joo-hong

2008 Designate Minister of Equality Affairs and Family Lee Chun-ho
Withdrew from the nomination after allegations that she had been involved in illegal real estate sepeculation.

2008-10 Minister of Health, Welfare and Family Jeon Jae-hee
Elected MP for the Grand National Party (GNP) in 2000, she was appointed in a reshuffle 6 months after the new president and his cabinet took office. (b. 1948-).

2008 Vice-Minister of Health, Welfare and Family Lee Bong-hwa
She was the only Female Director in the City Government of Seoul.

2009 Minister of Equality Byon Do-ho

2009-13 Minister of Equality Paik Hee-Young

2010-13 Minister of Health, Welfare and Family Chin Soo-hee

2013-13 President Park Geun-hye
MP 1998-2012, Chairperson of the Grand National Party 2004-06, Candidate in the party primaries for presidential candidate in 2008, Leader of Saenuri (Renamed GNP) 2011-12. In December 2016, she was impeached and her suspension was later confirmed by the Constitutional Court. (b. 1952-)

2013-14 Minister of Maritime Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Yoon Jinsook

2013-14 Minister of Gender Equality and Family Cho Yoonsun
MP 2008-12, Spokesperson for the Grand National Party in 2012 and Presidential Candidate Park in 2013.
(b. 1966-)

2013- Vice-Minister of Employment and Labour Jeong Hyunok

2013- Vice-Minister of Gender Equality and Family Lee Boksil

2014-15 Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Heejung
Elected MP in 2007. (b. 1972-)

2015- Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kang Eun-hee
Elected MP in 2012 and Deputy Floor Leader for the governing Saenuri Party. (b. 1962-)

2016-17 Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoon-sun
She was arrested the culture minister for suspected involvement in drawing up a blacklist of artists, writers and entertainers critical of President Park Geun-hye )

 

 

Last update 10.03.17