Jin Sun-mee (; born 14 May 1967) is a South Korean politician previously served as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family under President Moon Jae-in. She is also a three-term parliamentarian previously via proportional representation and now representing the district that was dictated by male politicians and opposition parties.
Before entering politics she worked for the rights of the marginalised people as an attorney at law. She was one of lawyers leading the case for the repeal of the patriarchal Hoju (family head) system.
After becoming a member of the National Assembly, one of her main legislative agendas was on reforming law enforcement agencies and national intelligence service - preventing them from violating civil rights of citizens. She was a spokesperson of the first presidential campaign of current President Moon Jae-in in 2012. She became widely known when she filibustered for nine hours against controversial anti-terror bill in February 2016. Before appointed to the minister, she was the first female senior deputy floor leader of a ruling party.
In 2020, Jin was elected as the chair of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, which oversees the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korail, and related agencies. Appointments to this committee are widely sought after, as its members have significant influence over the allocation of funding for local social overhead capital (SOC) projects. In November 2020, Jin was appointed to lead her party's task force reviewing housing policies, including a proposal to establish a new ministry dedicated to public housing.
Electoral history ElectionYearDistrictParty affiliationVotesPercentage of votesResults19th National Assembly General Election2012Proportional Representation (5th)Democratic United Party7,777,123 36.45%Elected20th National Assembly General Election2016Seoul Gangdong A Democratic Party54,159 44.79%Won21st National Assembly General Election2020Seoul Gangdong A Democratic Party80,36151.50%Won22nd National Assembly General Election2024Seoul Gangdong A Democratic Party73,79150.12%Won
Personal life She completed primary and secondary education in her hometown of Sunchang County, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. She is the most heavily indebted member of the Cabinet and her party due to her husband's debt.
References
External links
Minister of Gender Equality and Family