内容摘要：Rhys has been writing for a year and a half, and before applying for the competitive Writer at Work programme said he "didn't believe in himself".

Rhys has been writing for a year and a half, and before applying for the competitive Writer at Work programme said he "didn't believe in himself".

That stings for young women like Saeyeon, especially after the role they played in the protests calling for Yoon's impeachment: "Our voices don't seem to be reflected in the [campaign] pledges at all. I feel a bit abandoned."The ruling party's Kim Moon-soo, who served in Yoon's cabinet as labour minister, has emphasised raising birth rates by offering more financial support to parents.

But many women say rising costs are not the only obstacle. And that most politicians don't address the deeper inequalities - which make it hard to balance a career and family - that are making so many women reconsider the usual choices.The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which Yoon had wanted to shut down, has also re-emerged as a sticking point.Lee has vowed to strengthen the ministry, while Kim says he will replace it with a Ministry of Future Youth and Family.

The ministry already focuses on family services, education and welfare for children. Just under 7% of its total funding, which is about 0.2% of the government's annual budget, goes towards improving equality for women. But Prof Go says the ministry was "politicised by Yoon and has since been weaponised"."The ministry itself is not huge but it's symbolic… abolishing it would show that gender equality is unimportant."

It's also the target of a third candidate, 40-year-old Lee Jun-seok, a former leader of Yoon's party, who has since launched his own Reform Party.

Although trailing Kim in polls, Lee Jun-seok has been especially popular with many young men for his anti-feminist views."Two have been found dead; one of them was his baby. My teacher, his second child, his sister and four other relatives are still missing. A building fell on his wife who wasn't inside the house with them, and she died instantly."

Mr Muhammed also lost family, remembering his uncle who died in the disaster."Uncle Musa was a very good friend to my late father. He took care of me since my dad died in 2023. He taught me to value education and always told me to do the right thing.

"Anytime I am alone and think about him, tears always roll down my cheeks. I haven't been able to sleep since the incident happened," Mr Muhammed said.The water has now receded, and residents gathered on Saturday to offer condolences to the victims and also lend a hand in the search efforts.