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-).
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