Exposed Gender Awareness in the Political Sphere

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don admitted to his sexual harassment and resigned, criticism has arisen that the political sphere’s low gender sensitivity has once again been exposed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cases of male politicians resigning due to sexual violence have continued regardless of party affiliation. In 2013, former Blue House spokesperson Yoon Chang-jung was dismissed amid allegations of sexually harassing an intern during a trip to the U.S., and in 2017, former National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae was found guilty of sexually harassing a golf course caddie. Former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung was convicted in 2019 for sexual violence exerted through power.

Additionally, former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju and Min Byung-doo of the Democratic Party were excluded from nominations due to sexual harassment allegations, and Won Jong-geon, a recruited talent, left the party amid dating violence controversies. Later, former spokesperson Yoon and former lawmaker Jeong denied the allegations and returned to politics, sparking controversy.

This incident is being criticized not only as an issue with Mayor Oh but as a problem throughout the political sphere. The 20th National Assembly was also criticized for using misogynistic and sexually harassing expressions when members criticized female candidates from opposing parties, and during discussions on measures against the 'Telegram Nth Room' and 'deepfake' cases, members of the Judiciary Committee and Ministry of Justice officials caused controversy with remarks showing low gender sensitivity.

The lack of gender sensitivity has manifested in various forms in the political sphere over time, but voices say awareness is still insufficient. A female lawmaker commented, "It’s not just Mayor Oh. Although I think things have improved compared to the past, it’s regrettable that people with low gender sensitivity are not filtered out and still become elected officials." The Women’s Headquarters of the Justice Party released a statement on the 23rd saying, "We feel devastation and responsibility that such problems have occurred again in the political sphere, which should be preparing laws and systems to change reality," and pointed out, "This incident is not an individual deviation. It is a case of entrenched authoritarian culture and abuse of power in the political sphere."

Experts also pointed out the male-centered and hierarchical culture in politics and the lack of education. A sociology professor said, "This is a problem that has been repeated within authoritarian and hierarchical male-centered organizations," and added, "Education on gender sensitivity in the political sphere should be strengthened, and in the case of the Busan City Hall, where the problem occurred, a full investigation should be conducted to accurately grasp the situation."

Nam In-soon, a Democratic Party Supreme Council member who has been active as a women’s rights activist for over 20 years, voiced self-reflection at the Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 24th, saying, "To prevent such incidents from recurring, an organizational culture with gender sensitivity must be established in the National Assembly, and for such a culture to be established, opportunities for women to participate in politics must be strengthened."