[Comprehensive] "Broke the solemnity" "Whatever you wear, who cares"… Female lawmakers showing support for Ryu Ho-jeong

Gominjeong "Thanks for Breaking the National Assembly's Solemnity"
Yujeongju "Ryu Hojung Just Kept Her Promise"
Ryu Hojung "Stirring Up Trouble Is What Progressive Politicians Should Do"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, is briefly leaving the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 4th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Female lawmakers expressed their support for Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong, who attended the National Assembly plenary session wearing a one-piece dress, sparking the so-called 'National Assembly attire' controversy.

On the 5th, Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung wrote on her Facebook, "I do not agree with all of Ryu's thoughts, as there are quite a few points where our views differ," but added, "I cannot agree with the excessive criticism she is receiving because of the clothes she wore."

She continued, "Rather, I am grateful that she broke the National Assembly's excessive solemnity and authoritarianism," emphasizing, "The National Assembly should be a place where different voices, appearances, and thoughts are allowed."

On the same day, Justice Party lawmaker Yoo Jung-joo also commented on the 'National Assembly attire' controversy, saying, "Ryu lawmaker was just keeping a promise," and expressed concern that "a similar debate might be repeated 20 years from now."

Yoo explained the situation, saying, "The National Assembly lawmakers' research group '2040 Youth Cafe' held its founding event on the 3rd. I am serving as a co-representative together with Ryu lawmaker."

She added, "Symbolically, I, the oldest member, and Ryu Ho-jeong, the youngest, took on the role of representative lawmakers," and "During the greetings on that day, we prepared a light event to 'attend tomorrow's plenary session in today's attire.'"

She continued, "On that day, Ryu wore a one-piece dress, and I wore jeans," adding, "In the end, I was the only one who failed to keep the promise."

Meanwhile, former Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi also posted on Facebook, strongly criticizing, saying, "What someone wears, what does it matter?"

Lee said, "I can't calm down. They are swarming and spewing violent-level words," and questioned, "Is this really a room where people talk about democracy and reform?"

She added, "In the 21st century, being exposed to such crimes because of a 'one-piece dress,'" and confessed, "I never find this debate pleasant. It makes me feel disgusted."

On the 5th, Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed her support for Ryu Ho-jeong, a member of the Justice Party, in a post on her Facebook. / Photo by Facebook capture

Earlier, on the 4th, when it became known that lawmaker Ryu attended the National Assembly plenary session wearing a pink-toned one-piece dress, some online communities and social networking services (SNS) flooded with criticism questioning whether the attire was appropriate for a lawmaker.

In some pro-Moon Jae-in Facebook groups like 'Democratic Party 1 Million Members Gathering' and far-right communities such as Ilbe Storehouse, sexually harassing remarks targeting Ryu lawmaker appeared, including comments like "Did you come to collect drinks money?" and "You look like a karaoke hostess."

The Justice Party issued a statement on the 5th criticizing the sexist remarks aimed at Ryu lawmaker. Justice Party spokesperson Jo Hye-min said, "We strongly regret that the criticism directed at Ryu lawmaker contains sexist prejudices," and pointed out, "We cannot agree with the behavior of evaluating female politicians based on appearance or image rather than their legislative activities, thereby implying they are 'unqualified' as politicians."

Meanwhile, Ryu lawmaker stated in a media interview on the same day that there was nothing problematic about the controversy. She said, "I believe my one-piece dress opened up a public discourse," emphasizing, "Creating such 'unnecessary trouble' is what progressive politicians should do."

Regarding the sexually harassing remarks, she pointed out, "The hateful comments are not because I wore a one-piece dress," and noted, "There were also sexually harassing comments when I wore a suit."

She added, "By exposing the outdated practices of our politics and the hateful remarks directed at young women, it might serve as an opportunity for reflection."