[Relay Interview③] Bae Jin-gyo "The Right to Happiness Can Only Be Possible Without Discrimination Anywhere"

Interview with Lawmakers Co-sponsoring the Anti-Discrimination Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Assemblyman Bae Jin-gyo of the Justice Party recalled his time as a district mayor.

"We invited many people to the Art Center opening ceremony. Naturally, there were people with disabilities as well. It was an event where we watched a performance together, but because the electric wheelchair was large, one of the visitors could not use the elevator as it was too small. The staff in charge of guidance, although acting with good intentions, tried to lift and move the person with a disability without their consent, which led to a strong protest from the person with a disability. Although it was a well-meaning act, physical contact without consent causes great discomfort to the other party. If the elevator at the event venue had been larger, this situation would not have occurred, but such cases are very common in daily life."

Assemblyman Bae Jin-kyo of the Justice Party. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Assemblyman Bae emphasized, "Our society has become a democratic society and is considered one of the world's top 10 economies, but we need to question whether economic wealth alone defines an advanced society. Economic prosperity means that all citizens should be able to enjoy the right to happiness, and enjoying the right to happiness means there should be no discrimination anywhere." The following is a Q&A with Assemblyman Bae.

- Why must the Anti-Discrimination Act be enacted?

= People do not recognize that their words or actions are discriminatory. Therefore, we now need to understand what discrimination is and what efforts our society must make to eliminate it. The starting premise must be mutual respect. Economic prosperity means that all citizens should be able to enjoy the right to happiness. Enjoying the right to happiness means there should be no discrimination anywhere. Discrimination still occurs throughout Korean society, and the first and very active step to resolve this is the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

- How do you understand the opposition from religious circles?

= While having a conversation with a pastor I am close to, I said, "This issue is not about whether you support homosexuality or sexual orientation and gender identity. This issue is about respecting my own existence and the existence of others, and the premise is that discrimination for any reason is unacceptable. It starts from the idea that I should not be discriminated against either." Also, although it is being talked about as if we support same-sex marriage, the Anti-Discrimination Act we are discussing is not about that; it prohibits discrimination based on 23 types, and gender issues are just one of those types.

- Why has the bill still not passed in the National Assembly?

= First of all, the National Assembly has not had a clear will to enact this law. One reason is the strong resistance from those opposing the Anti-Discrimination Act, which is a significant burden for lawmakers who rely on votes. There has been a process where the bill has never even passed the stage of being proposed. However, this is not always the case; for example, Assemblywoman Shim Sang-jung faced the greatest opposition but was still elected in her district. What matters is how firmly the National Assembly is committed to creating a discrimination-free Korea.

- What urgent actions should the National Assembly take to enact the law?

= First, the National Assembly must start reviewing the bill. Reviewing the bill will bring the issues to light and make the entire nation aware. Currently, the Anti-Discrimination Act issue is entangled only in conflicts between its main stakeholders and opponents. This is a nationwide issue related to the direction Korean society should take. It is a topic that all citizens should discuss and debate together. The National Assembly must actively engage in discussions about the Anti-Discrimination Act.