"Are You Really Pregnant?" From Swearing, Mockery to Assault... Conflicts Over Priority Seats for Pregnant Women [Han Reporter Goes]

"Do You Force Consideration Too?" Conflict Over Priority Seats for Pregnant Women
50s Man Uses Abusive Language and Assaults Pregnant Woman, Escalating to Extreme Situation
Ongoing Complaints Over Seat Conflicts... Hate Graffiti on Priority Seats Too

On the afternoon of the 27th, a priority seat for pregnant women is set up in a subway car on Seoul Line 1. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "If there is no one, I sit, but I feel awkward, so I either sit in another seat or stand."

On the afternoon of the 27th, Kim, a man in his 40s whom I met on Seoul Subway Line 1, answered this way when asked, "What do you think about seats reserved for pregnant women?" Seats reserved for pregnant women are literally seats for pregnant women, but anyone, including pregnant women, can sit in them. Because of this, conflicts and controversies surrounding seats reserved for pregnant women continue to arise, such as some people not showing consideration for pregnant women or, as in Kim's case, not sitting even when the seat is empty.

According to one survey, more than half of pregnant women answered that they have never received consideration from others in daily life. This is why there are calls for the culture of consideration for pregnant women to spread further. On the other hand, some express dissatisfaction, saying that consideration should not be forced.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, an online survey conducted by the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association last year on the occasion of "Pregnant Women's Day" (October 10) showed that 54.1% of pregnant women answered that they "did not receive consideration." This survey was conducted online for 10 days targeting a total of 3,000 people, including 1,500 pregnant women and 1,500 general people, through the Pregnancy and Childcare Comprehensive Website and i-Sarang.

When asked why they thought they did not receive consideration, 54.3% of respondents answered, "Because my belly does not show, so it is not obvious that I am pregnant." Pregnant women who answered that they had experienced consideration from others were 45.9%. Also, looking at the types of consideration received by pregnant women, household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and meals accounted for more than half at 59.9%.

46.5% also answered that they were offered seats on public transportation such as subways and buses. Only 35.8% said they received adjustments to commuting hours at work. When asked what should be done to spread a culture of consideration for pregnant women, both pregnant women and the general public answered, "Education on awareness of consideration for pregnant women is necessary" (64.6% of pregnant women, 61.9% of general people).

An official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "Small interest and consideration from those around are essential for the safe and happy pregnancy and childbirth of pregnant women," adding, "We will create a pregnancy and childbirth-friendly environment and work to spread a culture of consideration for pregnant women."

On the afternoon of the 27th, a priority seat for pregnant women is set up in a subway car on Seoul Line 1. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

While a survey showed a lack of consideration for seats reserved for pregnant women, there are also opinions that consideration should not be forced. It is argued that there may be unavoidable situations where consideration cannot be given to pregnant women, and it is incomprehensible to criticize such situations as a lack of consideration.

Lee, a man in his 40s working at a company, said, "When I see a pregnant woman, I naturally show consideration by giving up my seat," but emphasized, "However, seats should not be given up unconditionally; consideration forced or given under pressure is not true consideration."

On the other hand, there are criticisms that seats were not offered because the person did not appear to be pregnant enough, as the survey results showed. Park, a woman in her 30s working at a company, said, "If it is really hard, a pregnant woman can ask for a seat to be given up, but how many pregnant women can say that in front of everyone?" She added, "However, since giving up seats and other considerations can be optional, conflicts seem to arise quite a bit in that process."

Conflicts surrounding seats reserved for pregnant women sometimes escalate into disputes. In May 2019, a man who kicked a woman sitting in a seat reserved for pregnant women on the subway, saying, "Why are you sitting when you are told not to," was sentenced to probation. The 50-year-old male perpetrator approached Ms. A, shouted abusive language without warning, and kicked her left ankle several times.

In particular, during the incident, he also said, "All women these days should die." The court sentenced the man to four months in prison with a one-year probation. The reason was that although the crime was serious, he had no prior criminal record, and after Ms. A revealed that she was pregnant, there was no confirmed abusive language or assault.

Graffiti opposing priority seats for pregnant women. Photo shows a priority seat for pregnant women on Seoul Subway Line 4. Photo by Online Community Capture

Complaints related to conflicts over seats reserved for pregnant women continue to increase. According to Seoul Metro Corporation, from January to October 2019, the number of complaints related to seats reserved for pregnant women was 1,814, nearly 1.5 times higher than the 7,312 cases in 2019. Most complaints were about "seat conflicts."

Some also express confusion about why consideration is forced. According to a survey conducted by the corporation in June 2019 targeting 6,179 Seoul subway users (1,202 pregnant women), 81.50% answered that the reason for sitting in a pregnant women's seat was "because it was empty" and "because it is a considerate seat, not mandatory."

The government announced that it will strive to establish a culture so that pregnant women can comfortably use seats reserved for them amid conflicts and controversies. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said last year on Pregnant Women's Day, "Along with government efforts, it is also important to create a childbirth-friendly culture for childbirth," adding, "Currently, there are about 17,000 seats reserved for pregnant women on public transportation such as buses and subways. The government will strengthen promotion more actively so that early-stage pregnant women can use these seats with peace of mind."