"‘The National Assembly Is Not a Funeral Hall’: Why Ryu Ho-jeong Wore a Red Dress"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a member of the Justice Party, attending the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 6th, Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, stated regarding the controversy over her wearing a one-piece dress to the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th, "There have always been criticisms of the attire of young female politicians."

On the same day, Ryu appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "When I wore a suit, there were always sexually harassing and hateful remarks like 'What kind of suit can someone like you wear?'"

Regarding why she wore a one-piece dress despite anticipating controversy, she explained, "I mixed casual attire because the National Assembly is currently centered around middle-aged men in their 50s," adding, "(The Assembly) has aspects symbolized by black or dark suits and ties, and I wanted to break that custom."

She continued, "I am active in a youth forum, and the day before the plenary session, we had a meeting with young people," adding, "The young lawmakers present there promised to all wear the one-piece dress we wore on Monday (the 3rd) again at the plenary session the next day."

She added, "I don't think the authority of the National Assembly is established by suits," and said, "Customs also change with the times, and I believe I went to work wearing attire that allows me to perform well."

In response to some criticisms that "just as one dresses formally at a funeral, one should dress formally at the National Assembly as a matter of respect for the people," she retorted, "I understand such (critical) opinions, but first of all, isn't the National Assembly not a funeral hall?"

She further said, "I think TPO (time, place, occasion) can change. Workers who wear suits are only a very small portion of all working citizens."

Ryu said, "Suddenly, I received media attention because of the one-piece dress. So I wondered if the media's way of approaching female politicians was because of the one-piece dress," adding, "I am working on many issues such as nuclear waste related to public safety, exploitation of Coupang workers, differential voting rights, non-consensual rape, and so on. I hope the media would also interview me more about my work."

Meanwhile, on the 4th, Ryu attended the National Assembly plenary session wearing a red one-piece dress and faced criticism for informal attire as well as sexually harassing remarks from some netizens.