Opposition Spokesperson Calls Ansan Controversy a 'Misandry Term'... Ruling Party Criticizes as "Gender Conflict Addiction"

On the afternoon of the 1st, An San, the triple gold medalist in archery at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, returned home through Incheon International Airport in Yeongjongdo and is holding up a gold medal.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Yang Jun-woo, spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented that the core issue in the 'feminism controversy' surrounding Tokyo Olympics archery triple gold medalist An San is the athlete's use of 'misandry (hatred of men) terms.' In response, presidential candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized Yang, urging him to "stop the online violence against An San."

On the 30th of last month, Yang posted on his Facebook, stating, "Although the controversy began as a fabrication, it turned into a real conflict as it was revealed that An San used several terms identified as misandry words," adding, "The core of this controversy lies in the 'use of misandry terms.'"

Regarding this, various camps within the Democratic Party criticized Yang’s wording, saying it could be perceived as blaming An San. Kwon Ji-woong, deputy spokesperson for Lee Jae-myung’s camp, released a statement on the 1st, saying, "(Yang’s comment) can be read as supporting online violence against An San," and added, "It is hard not to feel regret at the sight of unfair discrimination and hatred against An San being blamed on the athlete."

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon also posted on Facebook that afternoon, stating, "The People Power Party’s commentary on An San aimed at the wrong target," and criticized, "A public party that should be condemning sexist attacks and baseless harassment against the athlete instead shifted the blame onto the victim." He further pointed out, "If this is a political calculation, it is a very bad political act; if it reflects the party’s widespread perception, it is even more tragic."

Jang Kyung-tae, spokesperson for the Chung Sye-kyun camp, also issued a statement saying, "It seems the People Power Party cannot escape its addiction to gender conflict," and criticized, "If there is no will to break the chain of inciting gender conflict, this issue will not end with just an apology or resignation from the spokesperson."

Jang added, "Representative Lee Jun-seok has remained silent since the beginning of the controversy," and questioned, "One cannot help but ask whether he wants to build a new identity based on hatred instead of dictatorship."

Meanwhile, Yang Jun-woo was selected as a spokesperson after placing second in the People Power Party spokesperson selection debate battle called 'I am Gukdae (I am the People Power Party spokesperson),' which was promoted by Lee Jun-seok, the party leader.