[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Hotfelt (real name Park Ye-eun), a former member of the group Wonder Girls, expressed displeasure over the remarks made by historian Jeon Woo-yong, who is known for his pro-feminist stance.
Earlier, on the 11th, Jeon Woo-yong mentioned the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was accused of sexually harassing all his employees, on his Twitter, saying, "I know he committed serious wrongdoings against two women (his wife and daughter)," and added, "I do not know how serious the wrongdoing was against one woman."
He continued, "Other women might be able to find a 'male friend' like him again," and said, "It would be impossible to write modern Korean women's history without Park Won-soon," sparking controversy.
Netizens who saw this criticized that defending only Mayor Park despite the accuser who claimed to have been sexually harassed by him was reckless.
Hotfelt also publicly expressed her displeasure by replying to the post, saying, "As one of the other women, that is not a friend," and added, "I have no intention of having such friends, and I will report such a boss."
Pro-government historian Jeon Woo-yong mentioned allegations of sexual harassment against the late Mayor Park on his Twitter on the 11th. Photo by Jeon Woo-yong Twitter capture
Hwang Sun-woo, co-author of the best-selling essay "Two Women Living Together," also said, "What women want is not a 'male friend,'" adding, "They want male members as fellow citizens who do not sexualize me or threaten my safety, but with whom they can work and live together."
Broadcaster Baek Ji-yeon also raised her voice in response to Jeon's post, saying, "'All other women'? How dare you!" and added, "Women's history has been and is being written by countless women whom society does not even remember by name, enduring and pushing back against a huge wall."
She further criticized, "Devotion? There are many real people who make proper history when citizens provide salaries, taxes, and support staff to lawmakers and local government heads. Do well while you are there."
As the controversy over the post intensified, Jeon said, "'Male friend' was used as a metaphor like 'friend of the common people,' meaning it would be hard to find another lawyer, civic activist, or administrator who worked as hard as Park Won-soon for women's rights and safety," and blamed the media for the controversy, saying, "It is truly pathetic how reporters are desperately trying to interpret it in a vulgar way."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
