21st National Assembly General Election D-12
Lack of 'Gender Sensitivity' Influences Voter Sentiment
Hwang Kyo-ahn's 'Nth Room Curiosity' Remarks...Criticism from Voters and Political Circles
Experts Say "More Female Politicians Needed"
Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is speaking at a debate hosted by the Broadcast Journalists Club held on the 1st at the Broadcasting Hall on Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, recently sparked criticism for saying regarding the 'Nth Room' case, "Judgments may differ for those who entered the Nth Room out of curiosity," raising concerns about his lack of gender sensitivity. Additionally, Lee Jun-seok, a Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, made remarks defending this stance, causing further controversy.
Women's groups expressed outrage, pointing out that most victims are minors and the crime methods are malicious, yet the seriousness of the case was not recognized. Experts criticized the National Assembly's gender sensitivity and suggested institutional improvements and increased recruitment of female lawmakers.
Gender sensitivity refers to the ability to understand and recognize elements of gender discrimination by having knowledge and awareness of gender bias. Criticism of lacking gender sensitivity means being insensitive to gender-discriminatory elements.
Recently, at a discussion hosted by the Broadcast Journalists Club held at the Broadcasting Hall in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Hwang stated regarding the 'Nth Room' case, "For those who entered the room out of curiosity but stopped participating upon realizing it was inappropriate, judgments may differ," drawing public backlash.
Amid the controversy over Hwang's remarks, on the 2nd, Supreme Council member Lee came to his defense. In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee said, "Hwang's remarks can be seen as a mistake arising from not understanding the significance of the anonymity of two technologies?Telegram and cryptocurrency?compared to his experience as a legal professional," defending Hwang.
However, Lee's remarks backfired. It was pointed out that entering chat rooms where sexual exploitation materials like the 'Nth Room' were distributed requires a complicated process, making it impossible to enter out of mere curiosity. Moreover, ignorance about an issue that has caused national outrage itself is problematic.
According to 'Chujokdan Bulkkot' (Tracking Team Spark), which first reported the 'Nth Room,' entering the chat room requires finding or receiving a specific link and paying about 2 million won worth of cryptocurrency to the operators, among other procedures.
Lee Jun-seok, Supreme Council Member of the United Future Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on February 20th / Photo by Yonhap News
As a result, women's groups criticized the political sphere's lack of gender sensitivity and called for apologies and resignations regarding the victims.
Female candidates from the Democratic Party and the Together Citizens' Party held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 2nd, stating, "Leader Hwang dismissed a grave crime as mere curiosity without considering the victims' positions and even defended them," demanding, "He should resign not only from his leadership position but also withdraw from election campaigns."
Additionally, Kang Min-jin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, strongly criticized on the same day, "Supreme Council member Lee defended Hwang's remarks as 'a mistake arising from not understanding the meaning of the technology,' but if Hwang truly did not understand and misspoke, that ignorance is the problem."
Kang added, "Even if the remarks were a slip of the tongue due to ignorance, it only proves the indifference that he had no concern whatsoever about an issue the public feels deeply about," urging, "The responsibility for not examining and studying such a critical social issue lies with Leader Hwang, so he should feel ashamed and resign."
Experts emphasized the need to improve gender sensitivity among politicians in the National Assembly and the necessity of female lawmakers.
Seo Seung-hee, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, told Asia Economy in an interview, "The National Assembly is composed of middle-aged men," strongly criticizing, "There is no will to solve the problem, and other cases seem more important to them."
Seo added, "Institutional improvements have limits because middle-aged men remain at every decision-making moment," emphasizing, "Therefore, more female lawmakers are needed."
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