Women’s Groups: “Re-dissemination of Violence and Degrading Expressions Towards Women”
Civic Organizations Urge “Lee Jun-seok to Resign Immediately”
Police Reports Filed… Violations of Election Law and Child Welfare Law
[Seoul=Newsis] Isolated Reporter Photography: Lee Jun-seok, the reform party presidential candidate, is preparing for the third candidate debate for the 21st presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcast Debate Commission at the MBC studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th.
[Seoul=Newsis] Journalists Lee Da-som and Lee Tae-seong report that on the 27th, following Lee Jun-seok’s controversial remarks regarding ‘female body parts’ during the presidential TV debate, women’s and civic groups are demanding his resignation and have taken to filing complaints.
According to women’s and civic groups on the 28th, organizations such as Korea Women’s Hotline, the Korean Association of Women’s Groups, the Feminist Solidarity for the Solution of Gender Violence, as well as progressive civic groups such as the Reckoning and Social Reform Emergency Action, and People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issued statements urging the candidate to step down.
During the third presidential candidate TV debate held at MBC Studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, the candidate stirred controversy by explicitly addressing women’s bodies during a question session.
The candidate said, “In the high school violence incident in April this year, the perpetrator threatened to tear the victim’s important parts. Who made that comment?” He further asked Kwon Young-guk, the Democratic Labor Party’s presidential candidate, whether it would be considered misogynistic if someone, by the standards of the Labor Party, expressed a desire to insert chopsticks in a woman’s genitalia. This statement targeted the alleged abusive language by Lee Jae-myung, another presidential candidate, towards his sister-in-law.
Following the debate, women’s groups issued statements vehemently opposing the remarks, criticizing the candidate for making violent depictions and misogynistic expressions about women’s bodies during a live national TV broadcast watched by the entire nation.
In a statement, Korea Women’s Hotline said, “As a presidential candidate, appearing before citizens and perpetuating expressions of violence and disdain towards women cannot be tolerated,” urging the candidate to resign and face appropriate sanctions.
The Korean Women’s Association also stated, “(The candidate’s remarks) describe physical violence against women in a highly offensive way, wrongfully broadcasted to the whole nation in real-time. The use of such language by a presidential candidate on public broadcasting as a political tool is an unprecedented and horrific event,” calling for his resignation.
The Feminist Solidarity for the Solution of Gender Violence condemned the remarks as sexual language assault towards women and sexual harassment towards the entire nation, revealing a perspective that does not view women as sovereign citizens or equal humans.
Progressive civic groups echoed similar sentiments in their statements, insisting that the candidate is unfit to be a presidential candidate.
The Emergency Action group released a statement demanding Lee’s immediate resignation, condemning his hate speech on a national TV debate.
The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy published a commentary on its official website under the title ‘Lee Jun-seok Has No Qualification as a Presidential Candidate for Misogynistic Remarks,’ expressing dismay and anger at the candidate’s live depiction of violence against women. They argued that such remarks were a clear insult not only to women but to all citizens, demanding an apology and resignation.
The candidate’s remarks have also been reported to the police. Attorney Lee Byung-chul from Chan Chong Law Firm filed a public grievance accusing the candidate of slander, insult, and defamation through false facts under the Public Official Election Act.
On the same day, the civic group Political Moms held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and announced plans to file charges against the candidate for violating the Information and Communication Network Act Article 44 and the Child Welfare Act Article 17.