"Feminism is the Spirit of the Times" - Won Jong-geon's Past Remarks Reexamined Amid 'Me Too' Controversy

Recruitment of Won Jong-geon, 'MeToo Controversy' Spreads
"I Will Return My Qualification as a Democratic Party Recruit"

Won Jong-geon, the second recruited talent of the Democratic Party of Korea who has been accused in the Me Too controversy, is stating his position at the National Assembly Press Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Won Jong-geon (27), the second talent recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea who has been embroiled in sexual assault allegations, returned his status as a recruited talent on the 28th, bringing renewed attention to his past remarks. In the past, he stated that feminism, which signifies women's rights, is the spirit of the times.

On the morning of the same day, Won held a press conference at the National Assembly's Press Hall and said, "I will voluntarily return my status as a recruited talent for the Democratic Party's 21st general election," adding, "A former girlfriend posted content related to me on the internet. The controversy alone has caused trouble for the party. I sincerely apologize for that."

However, regarding the Me Too allegations, Won said, "The posts are not true," and added, "I was a youth with many faults and mistakes, but I did not live recklessly. It is devastating to be labeled as a shameless person."

Won Jong-geon, the Democratic Party of Korea's "Recruitment Talent No. 2," is giving his remarks at the National Assembly on the 29th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the previous day (the 27th), a woman identified as Won's ex-girlfriend, Ms. A, posted on an online community, claiming, "Won continuously treated me, his girlfriend, as a sexual plaything and tormented me with misogyny and gaslighting."

Ms. A explained, "Won's actions were clearly dating violence, and I sincerely wanted an apology, but he never expressed any remorse," adding, "If you search only for Won Jong-geon on Google, Me Too automatically appears. Although it has been removed now, the term also used to appear on Naver."

She further stated, "I am not at all afraid of being sued for defamation. The incidents I mentioned are clear facts based on evidence and actual experiences, so if I am sued for defamation by stating facts, it means acknowledging his misconduct," and added, "Even if he is not a public figure, these incidents deserve criticism, and I believe it is wrong to let them be buried as they are."

Won Jong-geon, a recruited talent of the Democratic Party of Korea, declared his candidacy for the 21st general election in a local constituency at the National Assembly Press Hall on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As Won's Me Too allegations spread, attention is turning to his past statements.

On the 3rd, during YTN Radio's 'Lee Dong-hyung's News Face-off,' Won said, "Today's people in their 20s are busy. They have to study, manage their grades, and find good jobs," adding, "It is not easy for such friends to take an interest in politics first. Politics must first pay attention to people in their 20s. I want to listen to their stories a lot and reflect them in politics."

He continued, "To my friends, I am an ordinary 28-year-old young man," and said, "I used to go to clubs, but it felt somewhat negative. At home, I don't watch music programs because my mother might be jealous. When I hang out with friends outside, clubs are places where you can listen to music and drink, so I enjoy entertainment and spend time with friends."

Won also said, "We think there might be marginalized groups this year as well, and our political sphere needs to reach out further," adding, "To that end, I will do my best and study more about marginalized groups that I am not well acquainted with and work harder."

Additionally, in an interview with a media outlet, Won expressed his views on feminism policies, saying, "If you look at how much the voice of feminism is reflected in this society, the reflection rate itself is not actually high," and stated, "(Improving the reflection rate of feminist issues in policies and legislation) is a mission and the spirit of the times that the 21st National Assembly must fulfill."