[Power K Women] "Gender Equality Is Not a Battle Between Men and Women"... President Myung Heo on the Language of Integration

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Looking back to see if someone is behind you when you open the door to leave—Myung Heo, President of the Korean Women's Associations United, found the starting point of gender equality in such everyday consideration. She believes that before grand slogans, what must be learned first is a sense of awareness toward others. Having lived in Germany for a long time, where she studied pedagogy and raised two daughters, she recalls the words repeatedly emphasized in schools there: togetherness, responsibility, and achievement. She described this as "education that creates social beings."

The women's movement that President Heo advocates is a natural extension of this principle. While one must be resolute against unjust discrimination, she believes today's women's movement must seek language that resonates with a broader audience. Throughout the interview, she repeatedly emphasized words like 'integration' over 'struggle,' 'responsibility' over 'rights,' and 'together' over 'help.' The Korean Women's Associations United is a leading women's organization founded in 1959. President Heo was re-elected from the 21st to the 22nd presidency. The following is a Q&A with President Heo.

Heo Myung, President of the Korea National Council of Women, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the council office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Cho Yongjun

-What was the first issue you prioritized upon becoming President of the Korean Women's Associations United?

▲It was integration. The Korean Women's Associations United consists of various member organizations, each with its own history and voice. However, if the organization cannot unite as one, it cannot deliver any strong message externally. The first thing I thought of as president was creating a 'unified association.' I believed that overcoming internal division and aligning our direction would generate momentum and allow us to gain external trust.

-You mentioned that the external perception of the association was not favorable before you took office.

▲I asked journalists around me what they thought of the Korean Women's Associations United. When I told them I was planning to run for president, some opposed the idea, saying it would not be an easy position. After taking office, I found financial issues and many areas that needed improvement. That made me more determined to unite the association. It was necessary to reorganize the structure and ensure all member organizations could look in the same direction.

-Have you ever personally felt that you had to take a longer route simply because you are a woman?

▲As the youngest daughter, I did not feel much discrimination at home. My father instilled in me the belief that "you can do it." So I always thought I could achieve whatever I set my mind to. Instead of thinking I was at a disadvantage because I was a woman, I would set goals and pursue them. Deciding not to have an arranged marriage and going abroad to study was one such choice. Looking back, I am deeply grateful to my family for accepting my decision.

The Korean Women's Associations United held a press conference at the National Assembly Press Hall last April, urging that at least 30% of candidates nominated for the local elections on June 3 be women. President Heo stated, "The current proportion of female heads of organizations and lawmakers is very low, and the female nomination criteria stipulated in laws and party regulations are not being adhered to," adding, "Women are achieving outstanding results in various fields but are being excluded from politics." Korean Women's Associations United

-Did your experiences studying and living in Germany influence your approach to the women's movement?

▲The greatest lesson I learned in Germany was the spirit of community. Every school emphasized values such as togetherness, responsibility, and achievement. To be together, you must consider others. You must take responsibility for your tasks. And if you work, you must produce results. Such education creates social beings. I believe the foundation of democracy is also freedom and fairness. Yet in our reality, there are still many areas that are not fair—especially for women. I developed a sense of responsibility to contribute to building a fair society.

-Today's women's movement is perceived differently depending on generation and political orientation. What do you think needs to change?

▲In the past, ideas like male superiority and female subordination were prevalent. The women's movement then inevitably had to be combative and confrontational. However, times have changed significantly. Today's women's movement should not only focus on women's rights but also address how society can prosper more harmoniously and peacefully together. We need to inform and persuade society about what is necessary for women to live more comfortably and better in all areas of life.

-You expressed some distance from the term "feminism."

▲To be honest, I am not fond of the word feminism. While I inevitably speak about feminism as part of the women's movement, in today's Korean society, it is often perceived as a language of conflict. If I were to redefine feminism today, I would say it is about rejecting unjust discrimination based on gender. If we respect and understand gender differences, conflicts can be reduced. We need more refined language that resonates with a wider range of generations.

Heo Myung, President of the Korean Council of Women's Organizations (center), is performing a commemorative performance with attendees to honor the spirit of patriot activist Yu Gwan-sun at the 25th Yu Gwan-sun Award ceremony held on the 1st at the Independence Hall's House of the Nation. Korean Council of Women's Organizations

-What is the most urgent change needed to ensure that longstanding women's organizations do not become outdated?

▲The achievements of senior generations—fighting for women's rights and against discrimination—are significant. However, now we need to look at what the younger generation demands. We must open paths for young women to enter politics, the economy, corporations, and the public sector in greater numbers. It is also necessary to discuss why women's political participation is lacking and to bring issues such as the gender pay gap and women's participation in STEM fields into public discourse. Nurturing the next generation of women and raising awareness of women across all sectors is the current mission for women's organizations.

-What do you think is most needed for young women and traditional women's organizations to reconnect?

▲Listening must come first. Older generations must not dismiss the experiences of younger women by saying, "I've been through it all." We need to listen to the problems young women face with an open mind and identify areas that need to be addressed. Abroad, mentor-mentee programs are well established. Our women's organizations should play that role as well. Listening to young people's frustrations and helping society better understand them is our responsibility.

-You have been critical of policies focused on direct cash support to address low birth rates.

▲Having children is not something that happens just because the state says, "Have more children." It is only possible if individuals and families want to have children. However, we seem to approach this too much from a financial perspective. What matters is changing hearts and truly alleviating real anxieties. We need to create childcare environments where children aged 0 to 3 can be entrusted with complete peace of mind. Parents must be able to go to work feeling at ease. What is more important than money is having a trustworthy system and environment.

Myung Hur, Chairwoman of the Korean National Council of Women, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the council office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

-How should we address the career interruptions that women face after childbirth?

▲Childbirth and career interruptions are the most critical issues. While large companies have relatively well-established systems, small and medium-sized enterprises lack resources. We cannot just ask companies to "do better." The state must support companies. There needs to be tax incentives or financial support for companies that must hire replacement workers due to maternity or parental leave. We must create a system where companies can participate together.

-You also emphasized changes within the family.

▲The role of the husband is crucial. I always say this: Instead of saying, "I’ll help you," say, "I’ll take care of it." Housework and childcare are not tasks for one person to help another with—they must be done together. If you say, "I’ll help you," it makes it sound as if women are supposed to handle everything while men merely assist. Husbands must change, and women should also be a bit more considerate of each other. A comfortable family leads to a comfortable society.

-Although women's participation in society has increased, representation in senior positions remains low.

▲It is not due to a lack of women's ability. It is because of entrenched practices and organizational culture. It's what people often call "playing on an uneven field." Women do not lag behind in exams or professional fields. However, men often build networks with seniors and juniors even after work, developing connections within organizations. Many women go home and take on housework and caregiving. Such structures affect promotions and representation. There is also the issue of women not supporting each other enough. I often say, "Women must support women."

-What would you like to say to future women leaders and Power K Women?

▲The Republic of Korea is a country that has achieved remarkable growth in a short period. Yet, behind this rapid development, there are still outdated roles, frameworks, and unfair structures. We must move toward a more fair, honest, and inclusive society. I hope young women become more confident and that women support each other more. There are so many intelligent and capable women. I believe it is my role to help as many of them as possible step forward.

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Myung Heo, President of the Korean Women's Associations United, earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Freie Universität Berlin. She has served as President of the Korean Women Pilots Association and as Chairperson of the Bright Future Foundation, among other positions. She was re-elected as the 22nd president of the Korean Women's Associations United after previously serving as its 21st president. Since its founding in 1959, the Korean Women's Associations United has been a leading women's organization dedicated to advancing women's rights and achieving gender equality.

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